Chapter 29: Enter the Special Forces!


As Reika and the others wearily traveled to find a safe place to hide, they were all astounded by the amount of destruction caused by the nuke Skulker used to destroy St. Arcadia earlier. "Be careful you guys! Come on, let's get to higher ground before this radiation eats us up!" Reika announced as she helped Erica up a dirt mound. As everyone climbed up a hill, they were careful to avoid the wreckage and fallen debris caused by the destructive force of the nuke.

As everyone made it up to the top of the hill, they turned back and sadly stared at the ugly scene that laid before them. "That bastard destroyed everything!" Erica exclaimed angrily. "This place used to be so beautiful, but now look at it! Everything is dead!" Saeki added sadly. "Come on, standing here feeling sorry for ourselves won't help! We gotta go!" Reika urged. "Go where?! There's nothing left!" Yuuto snapped. "Yuuto!" Erica scolded. "We'll keep going until we find a safe place to lie low. After that, I think we'll need to go our separate ways." Reika explained.

Everyone stared at her as she said that. "What?" Reika demanded. "Go our separate ways? Kitami...where can we go? Even if we manage to find safer ground, who will protect us? Who will protect the children?" Junko pointed out. Reika sighed as she shook her head. "I...I don't know, okay? All I know, is that it's not safe here anymore. And the longer I stay with you guys, the more I'm endangering you!" Reika said after a moment of silence. Erica approached her and hugged her, surprising the witch. "I don't want you to leave, Kitami. You're the closest thing I have to a mother. I don't know what I'll do if you go!" Erica whimpered.

Reika grew misty eyed as she said that. "Oh, honey...I'm flattered that you'd think that. But I told you once before, that I'm not the kind of a person you'd want as a mother." Reika whispered. "What? But why not?" Erica asked. But before Reika could answer, a rumbling noise was heard. "What the hell is that?!" Yuuto exclaimed. "Wait...look! Are those trucks and tanks?" Saeki pointed out.

She was right; an entire convoy of tanks and trucks were heading their way. "We gotta hide, quickly!" Junko cried. "No, wait...those symbols on the trucks...they're the army!" Erica said as she looked closer. "If we can flag them down, maybe they can take us away someplace safe!" Saeki suggested. "I got it! Everyone stand back!" Reika said as she fired a bright ball of light into the air.

The convoy noticed the light and started heading their way, much to the delight of the others. "Hey! Over here; we need help!" Junko cried. "We're saved!" Erica wept. As the convoy approached them, several heavily armed marines stepped out of the trucks and surrounded them. "Easy...let me do the talking, all right?" Reika said calmly. A marine officer approached Kitami with a stern look on his face. "Who are you, and why are you out here? This area is strictly off limits to civilians!" the officer snarled.

Reika took a deep breath before she spoke up. "My name is Reika Kitami. These are my friends. We've been trapped out here for days, and we need help. Is there a shelter you could possibly take us too?" Reika said carefully. The marine officer looked genuinely surprised as she said that. "My God...you're that woman that detective was talking about earlier. You're still alive?! You must be the luckiest woman in the world to have survived that nuclear blast! Are you all that's left?" the officer asked with grave concern in his voice.

Reika nodded her head. "Damn it! All right; we're gonna have to take you to a decontamination area before we escort you to the nuclear fallout shelter. Just follow our instructions and you'll be all right." the officer instructed. "Thank you, sir!" Reika replied happily with a bow. As the marines led Kitami and the others into a truck, they were all unaware that a nasty pair of eyes were watching them from afar. "You won't escape from me so easily, my prey!" a vicious voice sneered.

A few hours later, Reika and the others arrived at a military zone and were escorted towards the decontamination zone. "Step in here, ma'am. That's it; now hold real still!" a man in a hazmat suit instructed as he led Kitami into a pod of some sort. "I'm afraid you're going to have to remove your clothing, mum. Otherwise it will interfere with our scanners!" a doctor instructed.

Reika sighed heavily and impatiently, but she did as she was told. But as she removed her clothes, a few onlookers were shocked to see her scars. "My God...it's a miracle you're even still alive! How did you do it?" a doctor asked in amazement. "Do what?" Reika snarled as she covered her unmentionables. "How did you survive? A normal human being would've been dead by now!" the doctor explained. Reika smirked as she gave her answer. "Well, when you kill enough people, sooner or later you're bound to become immortal!" she jokingly replied.

As soon as the decontamination pod sealed Reika inside, a cold mist filled the inside. "OH! Oh my God, that's cold!" Reika yelped. A few seconds passed and the decontamination pod opened up, with a freezing Kitami slowly stepping out as she shivered. "Jesus! I can't feel anything! It's so freezing!" poor Kitami shivered. "That's good. It means your vital signs are still healthy and you haven't lost your senses in your nerves." another doctor said as he escorted Kitami into a medical bay. As Kitami was covered up in a blanket, she was relieved to see her friends were still ok.

They were seen sitting or laying in bed with doctors and nurses inspecting them. "Here; drink this. It'll cleanse your system and help warm you up." a nurse said as he gave Kitami a large bottle of blue liquid. Reika took it and drank the beverage; it was surprisingly refreshing and soothing. "Ah! Much better...I can feel my fingers and toes now!" Reika sighed. "That's good; you're recovering at an astonishing rate, young lady. I must say, not many other people would have made it this far...how did you manage to escape before the nuclear detonation?" another doctor asked.

Reika sighed as she laid back against a pillow on her medical bed. "Look! I'm exhausted, all right? I haven't gotten any sleep in God knows how long...just please let me sleep, all right?" Reika said with a yawn. "Oh! My apologies; of course! You have been through so much, I can only imagine. Please; get some rest, you'll need it!" the doctor said as he shifted his glasses.

As the makeshift curtains were closed, Reika fell into a deep sleep. But as she slept, she began to have flashbacks. She began having flashbacks of being gang raped by Skulker's thugs, as well as the horrific ordeal of a demon possessed Taki Minase raping her before being forced to kill him. "Die, you stupid whore! This is what you get for what you did to me and Imari!" a possessed Minase snarled. "Fuck you! I'll kill you for this, you little shit! Nobody defiles my body and lives!" Reika roared as her inner demons took control. "You have a debt to pay, am I correct? You will pay...one way or another!" Skulker sneered. "You can die for all I care, you foolish whore!" Spawn coldly snarled. "Just go! I don't need you anyway! I hate you!" Reika shouted furiously.

Reika woke up screaming in both anger and fear, panting feverishly as she was drenched in sweat. "No...goddammit, not again! Why do I keep having these fucking nightmares?!" Reika wept as she buried her hands in her face. But as she wept, her curtains opened. "Ah! What do you want?!" Reika exclaimed as she covered herself. "Kitami? It's me...Junko. I heard you crying out; are you all right?" Junko said softly.

Reika looked up at her with tears flowing down her face. "No...no, I'm not all right Junko! I'm so fucked up right now!" Reika blurted out before she burst into uncontrollable sobbing. Junko sat on the bed and shushed Kitami gently as she comforted her. "Shh...it's all right, Kitami. I'm here now. Everything will be all right. I promise!" Junko whispered passionately as she hugged Kitami. "How do you know that?" Reika sobbed as she buried her face in Junko's lap. "I don't! But I trust that God will provide us the protection we need. After all, it's no coincidence that these army men came to our aide, right?" Junko said as she stroked Kitami's hair.

Reika sniffled as she wiped her eyes dry. "Maybe you're right. But...but I don't know if-" Reika stuttered. "Reika! Look at me, hon. I know we've all been through so much...but we're alive, and that's all that really matters, isn't it? Hey...you helped us to get this far. You made a promise that you'd help us, and you did! Now, these children are safe because of you! You should be proud of yourself for what you've done, Reika Kitami. Because I'm proud of you!" Junko said with a warm smile on her face.

Reika finally stopped crying and began to realize what Junko was saying was right. She did make a promise that she'd protect these young people and she fought tooth and nail to keep that promise. "You know something? You're right! I did do it, didn't I?" Reika said now a bit more cheerful. "Yes, you did! And I know that you will continue to keep doing good things. You know why? Because you are a good person at heart, Reika Kitami! I know it; I've seen it and I've felt it. You are an amazing woman, Kitami. Don't you ever forget that!" Junko said sweetly.

Reika smiled warmly as she leaned her head against Junko's. "Thank you so much, Junko. For everything! I wouldn't have been able to make it this far without your help. I...I...I love you." Reika said with a blush on her face. This surprised Junko, causing her to blush. "You...you love me?" Junko exclaimed. "Yes, I do. But I love you like a sister. Listen...no matter what happens, I promise you that I will never hurt you or betray you ever again. I swear upon my grave, I'll always be there to protect you. Always!" Reika vowed as she leaned forward and gently kissed Junko on the lips.

Junko blushed bright red as Reika kissed her, but she didn't push her away or resist. If anything, she actually appreciated it and enjoyed it. "Thank you, Reika Kitami. I love you too. You know...I've always really looked at you as a sister as well." Junko admitted as she nervously rubbed her hair. "I know, hon. Now come on; let's get something to eat. I'm starving!" Reika said as she stood up from her bed.

As Reika dressed herself, she smiled as she felt more calm and at peace than she ever had felt in years. But deep down, she wondered if she could somehow feel the same with Raizo. "Maybe once he's finished fighting his demons, Raizo could find his peace with me." Reika thought. As Reika finally finished dressing up in a modest white dress, she walked with Junko towards the mess hall.

To her delight, Erica and Yuuto were sitting together laughing as they ate, while Saeki ate alone in peace. "You go join those two; I wanna talk with Saeki." Reika said. "Ok, Kitami." Junko replied. As Reika grabbed a tray full of hot food, she walked towards Saeki and smiled. The young woman smiled back before she resumed eating her hot soup. As Reika sat down next to Saeki, she bowed her head and thanked God for her safety before she ate.

As Reika ate a sandwich, she observed the military base from an outside window. "What branch of army are these people?" Reika asked with her mouthful. "I overheard a couple of them say they're from the Special Forces. I think they might know a thing or two about these shadow demons, too!" Saeki said. "Really?" Reika asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah. If you ask me, I think they're gonna try to find out where those monsters are coming from and fight back!" Saeki said as she took a bite out of a cookie.

Reika finished gulping down her milk before she began to think. "What are you thinking about, Kitami?" Saeki asked. Reika looked at her with a serious expression, causing Saeki to to become upset. "What?! You wanna go back there? Are you crazy?!" Saeki exclaimed. "And let Skulker have his way? You better believe it!" Reika replied. "But why?! After all that we went through? After what that asshole Minase did to you?! Why on God's earth would you even think of going back there?! Are you suicidal?!" Saeki exclaimed.

Reika glared at her to shut her up, making Saeki regret her outburst. "I'm sorry. I just...I don't know why you would even consider going back to that hell! We're perfectly safe up here, so why go back?" Saeki said more calmly. Reika sighed as she touched Saeki's hand, making the girl blush. "Because before Minase died, he told me that Skulker plans to unleash the power of the Bible Black on the world. He'll destroy everything if we don't stop him! I made a promise to Minase that I would find that cursed book and destroy it, and I intend to keep that promise!" Reika explained.

Saeki nodded her head as she began to understand. "Ok...I understand now. So this book is the cause of all this chaos and madness! So, do you know where it is?" Saeki asked. "No...but we need to go back there and find it and then destroy it! It's the only way we can defeat Skulker and his army of shadow demons!" Reika continued. "I see. Well...I've gone this far, so I won't back down now. If you want, I'll be more than happy to accompany you." Saeki offered.

Reika smiled as she said that. "I appreciate that...but this is something I need to do on my own. I hope you understand." Reika said. "Oh! Ok, sure...I understand. So, uh, what do we tell the others?" Saeki asked as she pointed to her friends. Reika sighed as she shook her head. "They've been through more than enough, sweetheart. This is something I have to do alone. Maybe you could help me by keeping your eyes on them?" Reika suggested. "Well, if you say so. I'd like to go with you, but if you really feel this is something you have to do alone...I won't stop you. Just be careful, all right?" Saeki replied. "I always am!" Reika smiled.

Later, Reika Kitami approached the office of the Special Forces Commander. "Excuse me? Do you have a moment? I need to speak with you; it's important!" Reika announced. A chair spun around and revealed the commander of the Special Forces unit. She was in her mid 40s, had long blonde hair in a ponytail with braids, was fair skinned and muscular, and the fierce expression of a warrior. Her name was Sonya Blade. "What do you want? You don't have clearance to be in here. Get out before I call security!" Sonya snarled.

Reika gritted her teeth, but had to be very careful not to lose her temper. "Well, unless you don't want to find out the cause of these shadow demons appearing here on Earth, I'm not going anywhere!" Reika snapped back. Sonya immediately changed her mood. "What?! You know what's going on? Well don't just stand there; explain yourself! Tell me what you know!" Sonya demanded with widened eyes. "Can I sit down? I've got a lot to talk to you about!" Reika replied a bit more politely.

Sonya nodded her head, and Kitami sat in the chair in front of Sonya's desk. "Ok...start from the beginning." Sonya instructed. Reika nodded her head before she explained her entire story. As Reika explained herself, Sonya was perplexed by what she was told. On the one hand, she couldn't help but respect Kitami and admire her for all that she had been through and all she did to protect her friends. But on the other-hand, she was quite disturbed by her dark past and wondered if she could even be trusted to even be here. But what Sonya was most shocked about was what Skulker had done to her and what plans he had in store for Earth with the power of the Bible Black.

When Kitami was finished, Sonya was left speechless. "So you see? That damn book is the source of this Hellspawn's power! We need to find it and destroy it before it's too late. And with your permission, I'd like to accompany you and your team to go back there." Reika concluded. Sonya didn't respond at first, frustrating Kitami. But when she finally stood up, Kitami was a bit surprised by her answer. "I'm terribly sorry about all of that. Really, I am! If I knew that you'd been through all of that, I wouldn't have treated you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me!" Sonya said mournfully.

Reika closed her eyes and sighed. "Hon, I appreciate that...I really do. But honestly, I care more about finding that damn occult book and destroying it right now. Look, I know that I've been through hell, but I can't let that stop me from doing what is right. Now are you going to help me or not?" Reika said as she stood up from her seat. After a moment of silence, Sonya turned around to face Kitami with a smirk on her face. "Let's go find that bastard and give him hell!" Sonya said. Reika smirked back as she said that. "I think that this might be the beginning of a new and beautiful friendship!" Reika replied.

*Quick note: I am aware that Sonya Blade is a part of the Mortal Kombat franchise. And I am also including a few other surprise guests as well in some later chapters, so keep your eyes open!*