Chapter 21
A week after Raiden's part in the Poison Adder affair ended, he heard the Prayer of Summoning and knew it was time for the tournament in Edenia to select the men or women who would become Kung Lao's personal guard. He had made the arrangements that would allow Amperica to go to Earth Realm when she chose though she would appear in a form much like a hologram that only Kay, very young children and animals could see or hear.
Attiring himself accordingly as the Master of Ceremonies and as the final opponent for this tournament took little time. Opening the portal, he and Amperica entered the throne room to be received by an honor guard of ten soldiers. Commander Tram stood at one end of the human corridor. As Raiden and Amperica came up to stand before him, Tram saluted formally and said, "Lord Raiden, Noble Lady Amperica, it is an honor to receive you on behalf of my Queen and King. They are already at the tournament grounds in the main courtyard of this palace."
Raiden acknowledged the salute with a short bow at the waist and said, "Good to see you again Commander. Please escort my Lady to the Queen and King. I will be along shortly to give the final rules of this tournament. By the by, I imagine some of your priests are scratching an imaginary itch because of something in the air that only they can sense. I am carrying the cause, an item, which is essential to an agreement I have made. This item will pose no threat to either of your Sovereigns so they may be at ease. Go now." Tram acknowledged his new orders. "At once Lord Raiden." Turning to Amperica, he said, "This way my Lady."
After the honor guard had left, Raiden took the jar with the scorpion in it out of his top. Holding it up to his eyes he said, "I imagine you can hear me through this, your avatar, Scorpion. Tap three times against the glass if you do." A moment later, the scorpion inside the jar tapped three times as directed. If you are ready for your part of our agreement, tap three more times." Again, the arachnid did as directed. "Very well then. It begins."
Out in the courtyard that had been converted to an arena, Kitana stood in front of her throne and finished her opening remarks in the royal plural to the assembled fighters who had signed up for the tournament to select her husband's personal guard. "For those about to fight, We salute you and your courage. At this time, I will introduce your final opponent this day. Prepare yourselves warriors."
Sitting down again and looking every inch the regal persona she wielded like one of her fans, the sky seemed to darken a little. A strong wind seemed to come from all directions as the spectators in the stands and the fighters in line in front of Kitana and Kung Lao fell silent.
High above the courtyard, a blue ball appeared and floated to the ground. Spectators and fighters alike pointed up in the sky and looked on. As Raiden became visible, he descended a lighting bolt with his arms crossed over his chest. After landing gently and with a regal bearing all his own, a voice in the audience took up the call, "Raiden! Raiden is here, Raiden will choose our King's guard! We are all blessed!"
Comments like this rang out for a moment before Raiden spoke in his well bottom tone, loud enough that everyone in the arena could hear him as if he was standing right next to them. "Greetings, I am Raiden, God of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm. Your Queen has asked that I be your final opponent. This is not to give you, the assembled fighters an impossible challenge or to doubt your individual courage but as an object lesson so that those of you who win placement to Kung Lao's newly forming personal guard will understand immediately, that not all of your King's enemies will be normal mortals or even fully human for that matter. If you choose to resign, that is no disgrace. Only the best will be selected this day. I will give you this moment now to decide if you will compete or not. Remember though, there will be no disgrace on you or your family line for resigning. Decide now."
Of the thirty fighters who had registered only six resigned and went to the sidelines to watch the tournament. Raiden said nothing until the six had left the line completely then said, "The final victor today will be the Commander of Kung Lao's personal guard and the three runners up will form the core of said guard. That is the prize for which you compete. Hear me now though mortals, there will be NO FATALITIES permitted. Should any of you disregard this, my only warning, you will answer to me personally and not in the spirit of friendly competition. Is there anyone who does not understand this command?" When all the fighters put hand to heart and then extended their hand towards Raiden and shouted an acknowledgement, Raiden said, "That is good. Let the tournament begin!" Raiden teleported from there to the chair next to Amperica that had been set aside for him and took his place.
The tournament was broken down into stages and took several hours to complete. At the end, there were five fighters left after one had to resign due to injuries. As thanks for competing, Kitana's personal healers saw to the man and tended his wounds.
As the five prepared to break into the semi-final bracket, Raiden held up his hand to interrupt. "Forgive this interruption Queen Kitana, King Kung Lao, but the time for façades is now past." Kitana asked, "Please explain Lord Raiden. What façade do you speak of?"
Raiden stepped down to the main floor of the arena and said, "The façade of deception that Shang Tsung has been using until now. All tournament long, I have been looking into each soul as the opportunity presented itself, but for some reason, I cannot read the soul of this man here," as he pointed at the man second from the right of the final five.
Shang Tsung morphed into his true form and the other four fighters stepped away from him as quickly as if he had been on fire. "Very astute thunder god; I too weary of the deception." Raiden said, "What did you hope to achieve here by giving away your presence? You had to know that I would find you soon enough."
The sorcerer nodded his head and said, "Even I did not know that you would be the final opponent Lord Raiden. For once, I will be honest. I had hoped to win and then after assassinating Kitana and Kung Lao, take their souls and take Kitana's place and rule in her stead, thus achieving what I could not through Mortal Kombat or with inconvenient alliances with lesser beings."
"Now that even this plan has been derailed, what do you plan on doing?" asked Raiden. Shang Tsung pointed at him and said, "Raiden, I challenge you to Mortal Kombat. Do you accept or do you yield?"
Kitana's anger finally caught up with her as she stood and said, "This is not Mortal Kombat sorcerer! Even as we speak, my most powerful mages and priests are coming to confine you and your black power! But if kombat is what you seek then I, as the rightful ruler, shall take up your challenge."
Shang Tsung ignored her. Raiden turned to her and said, "Forgive me again Lady Kitana, as that I am a guest in your realm. But the challenge was not made to you, but to me. In this, the rules cannot be changed. I must accept or decline. You are too important a symbol and person to your people to risk yourself in Mortal Kombat. Here, in Edenia, the playing field is level between the sorcerer and myself. If I win, I already have a plan to end Shang Tsung's aggression. If I lose, I only lose my life, for my soul is safe and I will be reborn."
Kitana knew she had spoken out of anger and recognized that Raiden was giving her a chance to decline gracefully and save face in front of her people. She said, "You are correct Lord Raiden. Therefore, We designate you as our champion in this affair and will hold a banquet in your honor after your victory. Fight well." In a louder voice, Kitana proclaimed, "The No Fatalities rule is rescinded. Let Mortal Kombat begin!"