Chapter 35: Battle Lines Drawn

Just a mere few days later great news had been brought to Edenia in the form of a message. The message that the invasion into the Realm of Order was a great success. With the help of Darrius and his followers the realm had been easily taken over through well placed attacks. Attacks that not only crippled Hotaru's forces that were on guard but for also the main general that had been assigned to watch over the realm in Hotaru's absence to fall in battle.

Meanwhile as the Realm of Order was slowly being taken over in a public display in Outworld a public execution had taken place. The execution of the Earthrealm warrior Shujinko in front of thousands of the united forces warriors. As she looked on to each of her troops seeing the confusion on each of their faces Kitana was quick to explain how Onaga had come to rise up in power once again thanks to the man kneeling before them now. Information once she shared caused every single warrior to instantly look towards Shujinko with pure hatred as he tried to explain the error of his ways.

An excuse nobody was willing to listen to. That was when the crowd in front of them instantly erupted into cheers when it was declared that Shujinko would die today at the hands of Sub Zero for this injustice. An event that instantly made the morale of the troops to rise once they witnessed Shujinko die at the hands of Sub Zero before his head had been placed on a stake just inside of territory the Dragon King had taken over labeling what was to come for anyone that would decide to side with the Dragon King.

With the troop's morale rising to all time highs slowly for the next week Kitana and Sub Zero watched as the united forces quickly marched through Outworld laying waste to all those of the Dragon King's forces with great effort from their allies. The newly crowned shokan prince Grum had personally taken to the front lines of his forces just as how his predecessor did and laid waste to all those that challenged him. Using their unique abilities Reptile with the help of Kiri were able to sneak behind enemy lines and assassinate the generals Hotaru had left behind to take charge of his forces after he had quickly left to return to the Realm of Order to confront Darrius.

An act that once he had heard the news made Hotaru quickly make his way back towards Outworld to only find himself surrounded by united forces from every direction. An ambush that had been set up by Jade that would complete her master plan of dealing with the Dragon King's follower. An event that after a hard fought battle saw Hotaru laying in a puddle of his own blood at the hands of Jade and Smoke.

Now just days later Sub Zero and Kitana are found standing inside of a large tent looking down towards a large map as a meeting is taking place at a very large table with the rest of the united forces generals. A meeting that is only possible thanks to the efforts of their troops from the last few days. Efforts that not only caused the united forces to break through the Dragon King's defenses and invade his territory but for also his forces to retreat to a large pyramid Onaga was using as a base of operations. A massive structure that once housed the Dragon King's undefeatable army.

" Is there another way inside of the temple?"

Leaning out of her seat Jade looks down at a map before she suddenly nods her head as she points her right index finger down towards the map.

" Yes. There is a passageway located her that will lead you inside of the temple."

Following Jade's finger Kitana looks over at the location on the map she is pointing to before she slowly nods her head.

" Then there is where we must go."

" We mustn't Princess. The passageway will be heavily guarded and there is no telling what traps may lay in wait."

" It's the only way. Once we have access to the temple Kuai and I will enter inside to engage Onaga. When Kuai has him distracted i will locate and destroy the kamidogus."

Leaning out of his seat Reptile looks down at the map on the table before he looks up towards Kitana to give her a nod.

" If entrance into the passage is what you need to end this war once and for all then you will have it."

Giving Reptile a nod Kitana looks over to the side to see Grum slowly walking over towards the map before she watches him nod his head.

" It shall be done."

Nodding her head Kitana slowly gets up from her chair along with Sub Zero as she glances around the room to see everyone looking towards her.

" Everyone should get some rest. Tomorrow we end this war."

Receiving nods from everyone in the tent slowly Kitana leads Sub Zero out of the tent and to their very own before suddenly she wraps her arms around the back of his neck and gives him a long deep kiss as they enter inside of the tent. As Kitana feels Sub Zero slowly breaking off the kiss Kitana opens her eyes to see Sub Zero looking at her with a look of confusion across her face before she slowly unwraps an arm from around the back of his neck and places a hand gently on his cheek.

" Kuai if tonight is to be the last night we ever get to be with each other, I want it to be spent in your arms. The war can wait until tomorrow. Tonight i just want to be with you."

As she sees Sub Zero giving her a nod without giving him anytime to react Kitana presses her lips back to his for a deep kiss as she slowly feels herself being lowered down towards the ground in Sub Zero's arms.