There is some explicit material within this chapter, ((but still not enough to be 'M'. Sorry, if this disappoints.)) but, not quite in the area one may expect.
-Rachel
It would be Kaui Liang, who was the first to rise. Surprised, he saw Mileena sleeping on top of him, momentarily forgetting about what had happened the previous day. Once the haze cleared, he remembered that they both spoke of things that had either one uncomfortable; he, the revenant undead servant of Quan Chi. She, who felt inadequacy due to the other 'successful' royals within her family. His gaze had been upon her, the entire time he brooded over past events of the previous day. Mileena appeared to be sleeping peacefully, a small smile had formed as he stared at her sleeping form. Subconsciously, his hand began to sift through her hair, his touch slowly wandering to her face. That is, until it finally dawned on him what he was doing, and he instantly retracted his hand.
Slowly slipping himself off the bed, and not waking up Mileena, he tried to let himself think.
When had their 'relationship' become like this? While it was true, he knew of her affections toward him, it was only naturally to feel that way for someone who saved your life, who showed a genuine interest that others didn't. But, when did he begin to reciprocate? It wasn't as if he gave Mileena false hopes, despite allowing her to kiss him, it wasn't like that. She was depressed, and he knew it to be one of those moments, where rejecting or accepting the other individual would have dire consequences. Just because someone was affiliated with evil, did not mean they couldn't change. The most prime example of this, would be the Lin Kuei; under Sektor's family, they had been nothing, but corrupt individuals who turned on their own kind. Kuai Liang had seen the changes that were occurring within her, she was making real progress in things. Her anger was still prominent, but, in time, he had no doubt she would be able to control those Tarkatan urges.
One last glance was thrown her way, before he left the sleeping, former Empress behind.
"There you are, Subzero." startled, Kuai Liang looked over to Raiden, who was calmly sipping his tea, it seemed he had been waiting for quite some time.
"Lord Raiden, what brings you by on this day?" Kuai Liang asked, sitting opposite the thunder god.
"It appears the 'rumors' of Mileena being in Outworld have proven to be true." Raiden shook his head, sipping a small portion of his tea before he resumed speaking. "I have no doubt it has Kotal less than pleased, but I have made my views on Outworld and Earthrealm matters, very clear: unless she poses a very evident threat to this Earthrealm, I cannot and will not intervene." the current Emperor of Outworld had been less then pleased with that statement, but it was true. He was the protective deity of Earthrealm; not Outworld. However, on another side note, he supposed he should fill Subzero in on the other goings on of Outworld. "Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade had personally gone to Outworld, to rescue their daughter, Cassandra."
"She was kidnapped?" Kuai Liang asked, surprised on that matter.
"Yes, and they believed it to be the work of Kotal." Raiden nodded.
"Troubling times, indeed, when we cannot even trust our own allies." Kuai Liang shook his head.
Raiden nodded in agreement, "Yes, but due to the nature of Outworld's relationship with Earthrealm, it is not much of a stretch believe that they could have something to do with it. A little more then suspicious that she goes missing, just as an altercation between Sonya Blade and the Emperor along with his council happens."
"Perhaps, but it could also be the workings of someone who wants the frail alliance between both realms to collapse, who would believe it to be advantageous to do so." Kuai Liang mused, "Earthrealm and Outworld working together is a very thin line, as we both have very different outlooks on life, and how to press onward; if that alliance were to be destroyed, another inter-realm war would begin, and we would be right back where we started, with someone else taking Shao Kahn's place. Perhaps, not in the sense of having his near unmatched might, but in the creed to conquer this realm."
"Earthrealm cannot come under anymore threats." Raiden shook his head, "If that were to happen- then I wouldn't know how we would be able to press through; we barely escaped the Netherrealm's assault. Had it not been our alliance with Outworld, then things would have turned out so much worse. Casualties would no doubt be at an all time high..." the thunder god trailed off at that, staring blankly.
Kuai Liang could see it, the remorse of what had happened during the Mortal Kombat tournament, the guardian deity was still blaming himself. "It was not your fault."
"I can still hear them." Raiden refused to give up on the fact that it was entirely his fault that they fell. You damned us all, Thunder God! Kitana had rightfully blamed him, for if he had known what his visions had actually meant, then none of it would have happened. They would all have survived, instead of becoming Quan Chi's servants.
"Words spoken of the undead are not words of the heart; intending to be used as a dagger, to impale the intended victim." Kuai Liang doubted Raiden knew exactly how revenants acted, but he wasn't trying to act superior. "Especially to those we once knew, they are used only for the purpose to cause harm." he could relate to the fact of still hearing the chilling voices, how Bi Han had said they shared blood once, but they were not brothers. And he was right, for it was not Bi Han who spoke, it was specter; Noob Saibot.
"I can see the logic." Rain relented that fact to the Empress, readily agreeing with what she had to say.
"Good." Mileena adjusted her outfit, "Because we're going to resupply the camp." it was most opportune of times that they do it now, as Kotal would no doubt be regaining his strength. All of them had a costly visit to Shang Tsung's island, which had quite a few grave...encounters. But now that he was weakened, she would use this advantage.
"As you wish." Rain knelt before her, knowing fully well that she enjoyed such formalities. Time was ticking away, and very soon, the son of Argus wasn't going to bow to anyone. Edenian aristocracy had all been wiped out, the only one who had possibility to 'challenge' this, would be Mileena- she had Kitana's blood, which belonged to that of Queen Sindel and King Jerrod. But, he had the blood of Argus, of a god coursing through his veins. Who really stood a chance to claim the throne of royals to sit upon? Those who were loosely descended from the gods, or, he, who had legitimate and far more potent blood than any other. Had Queen Sindel, or, perhaps, even Princess Kitana still been alive, this would be an issue that he didn't know if he'd be able to resolve. The beloved Queen had been revered and feared for very great reason, her fighting prowess was largely unmatched.
Had she been challenged to Kombat, Edenia likely wouldn't have fallen to Shao Kahn. But, there was a distinct reason on why the Emperor had chosen the Queen to become Empress; while many believed it to only be 'right of konquest', he factually adored the avarice she had.
"While I do enjoy your formalities, I believe it is time for you to stand." Mileena cooed ever so slightly, "Unlike the insect, D'Vorah, I find it completely unnecessary for you to kiss my boots. However-" she lifted up his chin, "you may kiss other things, if you feel like doing so."
"It feels unjust, looking upon such unmatched beauty, standing in the presence of a true royal." Rain could seduce her, just as much as the hybrid believed herself to be seducing him, for he knew all the right things to say.
"Perhaps, I will just have to make you my Emperor." Mileena mused, her father had taken on another to sit by his side, who was to say she couldn't do the same? Perhaps, it had led to her downfall.
"To believe I am worthy of such an honor, the Empress thinks too highly of a humbled servant." Rain had averted looking directly into her eyes, while speaking such sweet nothings she ever so enjoyed.
"Do you question your Empresses judgement?" Mileena asked, a hint of 'warning' within her tone of voice.
"Never." Rain would have shaken his head, but she was still holding it.
"Good." Mileena went back to sounding pleased, "I believe I've healed well enough, let us play."
"As you wish, Empress." Rain materialized both of them into water, transporting them to a remote village.
"Should we allow Tanya in on the fun?" Mileena asked, glancing over at Rain, waiting for him to choose whether or not the other Edenian would be joining them.
"If the Empress wishes it, it shall be done." Rain evasively 'answered' her question.
"You decide." Mileena walked forward, without her Tarkatan horde, she knew they'd be able to do efficiently. Besides, she needed every male Tarkatan she could have, for the plans that were in store. It would take a few years to gather their strength, and wasting their lives wouldn't help anything.
Rain stepped forward, and Tanya was not in sight. It seemed he had chosen not to bring in their comrade.
"Although I do enjoy the company of dearest Tanya, our alone time is something I enjoy even more." Mileena purred with delight.
He knew this choice would please her, and it most certainly paid off. "Shall we begin our crusade, Empress?"
"You know me, so well." Mileena nodded, "Of course!" she drew her sai, twirling them elegantly.
"Forgive me, Empress, but would you be offended if I were to go in, first?" Rain asked, the pair of them having been studying the villagers below from a rooftop.
"Not at all." Mileena was interested to learn what he had planned.
"For the glory of Mileena Kahnum." Rain said, as if guessing what her thoughts were about. Transporting himself down, he created chaos, but did not draw blood. Capturing a lone villager, he bound her, teleporting back to Mileena, be brought her to their intended victim. "The honor is yours, Empress."
Mileena grinned wickedly from beneath her veil, "You don't need to be afraid." she purred, gently caressing the face of the woman, "Your troubles are all over." pulling down her mask and tucking away her sai, she bit viciously into the woman's throat. How decadent the taste of blood was, and the little bits of flesh that mixed in only made it that much more enjoyable, laughing maniacally, Mileena looked over at Rain, not bothering to remove the blood from her face and lips, "I wish for more!"
"It shall be done." Rain nodded, the cries of many innocents rang throughout the village as both he and Mileena tore it down, brick by brick. She wasn't so easily satiated, especially after her blood lust had been temporarily quenched; he could see it in the way that she walked over to him such a seductive manner.
Ignoring the many outcry's of Outworlder's, some daring to yell out 'why!?' asking why their families had been damned to such a fate, why they had to assault the village, Mileena wrapped her arms around Rain's neck, indulging in a bloody kiss between the pair of them. Once the contact was broken, she let loose a Tarkatan 'smile', her teeth showing, as the buildings in the background were engulfed in fire. "I think it's time we return to my chambers." she said smoothly.
"As you wish." Rain spoke the phrase she loved hearing him to say, transporting the pair of them out of the village and into her camp. She took his hand, and led him into the tent.
The moment the Mileena's eyes shot open, she instantly annoyed. What was this? Flashes of her and Rain, indulging in activities she wouldn't dare to. Sleeping with him, Tanya's consort? She was no fool, it must have been some deluded dream, a nightmare of things her mind conjured up just to punish her for the previous night. To her knowledge, she hadn't assaulted villages, burned them to the ground, and most certainly never allowed Rain within her chambers. Finding Kuai Liang, she noticed uneasy glances shot her way, Jason, Akira, and Xiao-lang all stared at her with some form of curiosity. "These rumors within Outworld, are there anymore?" she asked.
"You must have some form of divination, Mileena." Kuai Liang was surprised, "Raiden had only just left, but he did say that Mileena Kahnum was undoubtedly seen within Outworld."
"Impossible!" Mileena shrieked, "It is not possible!" but, was it?
"What is not possible?" Kuai Liang asked her, unsure of what she meant.
"I- I had a peculiar dream.." Mileena said, her voice low, knowing they were being eavesdropped upon, she resorted to whispering in his ear.
"And what was this dream of?" Kuai Liang mirrored her tone of speaking, waiting to hear what she had to say.
"I was within Outworld.." Mileena didn't know how to say this, she didn't want to speak of her indecencies with Rain, to him. She had believed them to only be dreams, and if they were reality- then, no.
"What did you do, within Outworld?" Kuai wondered, did she have cognitive dreams?
"Shang Tsung must have done something...a sorcerer, someone did something to me..." Mileena drifted off, "I was within Outworld, with Rain, we were...ransacking a village, killing many people. Burning a village to the ground, enjoying the cries of pain and agony we had brought about, he was helping me to feed on villagers."
"Mileena." Kuai placed his hand on her shoulder, "I do not know how to tell you this, except for outright saying it, but, what you have said, Raiden had spoken of."
"No- that can't be." Mileena shook her head, withdrawing out of his touch, "It can't be."
"Stranger things have happened, Mileena." Kuai stood up, "What is the matter?"
Mileena averted her eyes, unsure of speaking about Rain and her, saying the complete truth.
"Whatever it is, you can say it to me." Kuai Liang tried to assure her, "Is it of yesterday, of what happened?" he had something he also wished to say to her, but was unsure of saying it. She was very blunt, to the point and shameless when it came to speaking, something he somewhat admired. He needed to speak to her about what had happened, and, possibly, of the conflicting feelings he was having. At first, their relationship had been as uneasy ally's within a world that would have otherwise been unwelcoming to her, but, they gradually became friends, and, though he believed Mileena's 'crush' on him would eventually subside, it still hadn't. She had been with the Lin Kuei for quite some time, not in the least unnerved when he rejected what appeared to be her advances. And, now, he felt something other than what he had previously. At first, he had believed it to be a 'mentor/student' type of thing, but that wasn't it. Not anymore.
"That is not what I have to say." Mileena still didn't bother to look at him, "Rain and I- in these dreams, we were not simply raiding villages, together. My blood lust wasn't the only thing he desired to...satiate."
"I...see..." Kuai Liang didn't know quite how to react, perhaps, he had pushed her too far away. "Mileena." he placed his hands on her shoulders, just as she tried to run away. "You and I- we do not have that kind of relationship, so you don't have to feel guilty, but-" how to say this? Taking a page from her, he decided to just say it outright, "I believe that I-" her hand covered his mouth.
"I have betrayed you." Mileena refused to let him speak, shrugging off his hands, once more, she wished to only go outside and be alone.
"It is not a betrayal, Mileena." Kuai Liang tried to assure her, once more.
"It is to me." Mileena hadn't met someone she felt the need to be entirely faithful to, but it was most definitely this man. The one who never showed her an ounce of anger, who only tried to make things easier for her to understand, always offering a kind heart and smile. Perhaps, that was why she felt such an attraction to him, his light somehow stomped out her darkness. Letting her forget, at least for a little while, that she was a shadow self of something never meant to be. Deluding herself enough to call Kitana 'sister', when she was more doppelganger then family when it came to the Princess. "I've betrayed you, and, yet, you don't care."
"It isn't that I don't care, Mileena, but you say these are dreams, and it could only be pure coincidence that they came to be true. Perhaps you are right, and it is the work of sorcery. Who is to say on whether it is Quan Chi or someone even more devious attempting to lure you out? It could just as easily be like Raiden's visions, how you interpret it could make it true, or just a falsified image placed within your memory."
"If it were you, I would not be this lenient." Mileena looked over at him, "I would rip out your throat, many times over."
"I made a promise, to not betray you. Have I not kept good on this?" Kuai Liang asked, "All I ask; is that you believe in me."
"And all I want, is for you to be angry." Mileena truthfully did, and didn't. It was conflicting. It would give her a sense of relief, if he were to yell at her, to even be angry to the point of striking her, any form of reaction that would prove he cared.
"Would it make you feel better, if I was?" Kuai Liang asked, "Men should not strike women." he told her, instead, his hand kindly caressed her cheek, "Only when sparring do I find it acceptable for such a thing to come to pass."
"Many do not share your principals." Mileena said.
"I don't believe you to one second alone any man to strike you. I believe he'd be dead before he could breathe in another breath." Kuai Liang smiled at her, "I do not care of your past interactions, Mileena, for you start here with a blank slate. I do believe you, when you speak of affections, and I know that you believe I don't reciprocate; because I do not touch you inappropriately, or act in ways you believe all men to indulge in. But, I think, that, perhaps, my thinking has changed entirely when it comes to you."
"And what do you want, in exchange for your affections?" Mileena asked.
"For you to give yourself over to me, entirely, trust in me, as I will trust in you." how genuinely he spoke had her surprised, but, it was him.
And because it was Kuai Liang who said such a thing, she didn't hesitate. "Alright." she didn't know what he meant, she didn't understand it in the slightest, but, she was willing to try.