Love & War 4

Chapter 24: Thicker Than Water

After many hours of battle, there are a series of dead bodies everywhere. Outside, King Gorbak was kombating Kotal.

"After the spectacle you put on my son, I expected to fight Blood God incarnate!"

During their battle, Sonya, Johnny, Chris and Tanya fought fiercely.

"Instead, I discovered an inexperienced ruler with a empire slipping through his fingers."

"Goro was a pawn for Reiko. We've always been allies, Gorbak..."

"As lord and vessel, not king and king! My people's cry for justice everlasting the era of Kahns ends today...and the reign of Shokan begins!"

D'Vorah joined the fray with Reptile. He planned on regrouping, but Ferra/Torr arrived just in time.

"Test your might, Kotal Kahn. You cannot stop us!"

"How do you stop an unstoppable army?"

"You will die before solving that riddle..."

"IT'S THE SAME WAY YOU STOP THE UNDEAD! DESTROY THE HEAD!"

Kotal clapped Gorbak's head. Wasn't that Jax's fatality?

"SHOKAN WARRIORS! HAIL TO YOUR KING!"

"King Gorbak is dead!

"Retreat! Back through the wall!"

"You nearly sacrificed yourself to win another battle, emperor," said D'Vorah.

"And they will doubtlessly return tomorrow. Ifwe are to win this war, I must sacrifice far more."

"The Blood Magik could kill you. After today..."

"Today we scored victory by default. Tomorrow's victory will only be achieved by force. Take Reptile to the infirmary. We must tend our wounded while the Shokan are disorganized."

Tanya held Chris close. She suffered a leg injury while trying to fight back.

"Take it easy, baby," said Chris, tending to her injury. He tried to massage her leg, but the pain persisted.

"It's no use, Chris..."

"How is she?" asked Sonya.

"Leg injury."

"I think I pulled a muscle or something."

Chris straightened her leg. Soon the pain went away slowly. He kept her leg straight as long as he could and soon Tanya's leg was healed. He and Sonya hoisted her up slowly.

"Easy, Tanya."

She started walking slowly. She wiggled her leg. The pain was gone. She turned around.

"How did you do that?"

"I wonder the same thing," said Sonya.

"What can I say? It's that charm."

Tanya wrapped her arms and kissed him.

"Thank you."

"No problem, Tanya. Now listen, with this out of the way, we can finally focus on getting our girls back and head home."

"It's about time."

Chris' comm was activated. It was Jade.

"Chris."

"Jade. What's going on?"

"Where are you guys? Me, Kitana and Li Mei areat Shang Tsung's island now."

"Jade, this is Tanya. What are you girls doing over there?"

"Sindel sent us to recover Cassie, Jacqui and Melody."

"This is Sonya. You girls stay put. We'll be there soon."

"Copy that, Sonya."

"Seems like "Kotal's Last Stand, isn't it," asked Johnny.

"I'm not sure," Chris replied. "But I am sure of this. We need to get the girls back home."

"There's one problem..."

Johnny collapsed.

"Cage!"

"Shokan asshole bit me!"

"You lost a lot of blood, but it didn't go deep."

"Just this one time I need you to keep talking."

"I'm sorry Cassie's freezing you out. I was the same way at her age."

"A teenager with a mind of Johnny Cage? How is that supposed to reassure me?"

"...If I don't make it out of here alive..."

"Don't say that, Johnny. We're in this together."

"Calling me Johnny again."

"i'll hear no more challenges," said Kotal. Tomorrow I protect our capital at all costs."

"This One will guard you."

"No, you will disable the true threat. Set sail for Shang Tsung's island tomorrow. Take the Earthrealmers."

"What of Tanya? She is an Edenian."

"It appears her love for Chris has blossomed in front of us. He healed her leg injury successfully. Honor my promises, find her daughter, find Reiko, and finish him."

"And the Shokan?"

"Your emperor fears no Shokan or death. As they say in Earthrealm, blood is thicker than water."