Chapter Thirty-Seven

Shaolin Temple, China

"Has it only been three weeks already?" Li Mei found herself saying out loud at the breakfast table.

It had been mostly quietly until she spoke, so naturally, it caught the attention of both Bo' Rai Cho and Kung Lao. Even though it was all she said so far, they knew what she was referring to.

Li Mei shook her head a little, finishing the thought out loud. "Three weeks since the invasion… maybe a little more than that… I'm not sure, I already lost count."

Bo' Rai Cho nodded, feeling a bit grim. "It doesn't seem so very long, does it?"

"Actually, I find that it seems like months to me," Li Mei replied as she placed her chopsticks down on the table. "Plus, I had hoped that Fujin would come back soon with some news about anything. Preferably good news, of course."

"The best you can do is to be patient," suggested Kung Lao. He chuckled at that. "Of course, I shouldn't really be speaking about being patient. I was never really good at that myself."

"But you have been getting better at it," Bo' Rai Cho mentioned, laughing a bit as well. His smile faded then and he turned back to the young woman. "But Kung Lao is right. It's all you can do."

Li Mei sighed a little. "I guess it's because I've been thinking of all the people suffering because of Outworld. I also can't help but think about people like Yang, someone who is worried for both his girlfriend and his brother." Li Mei shook her head. "It's almost like returning to my village of Sun Do all over again… the day I found all of my people slain. Before that, we were enslaved by Shao Kahn and his forces. I managed to escape just before the Blood Tournament, hoping to enter. I was foolish to think that if I won the tournament, then maybe I could help free my people with the medallion."

She chuckled a little. "When I met Raiden and the others, I admit, I was a bit of a nervous wreck. It was my first time meeting people from other realms and I had all these hopes and doubts. I kind of acted a little funny, speaking in run-on sentences… I felt really silly then.

"But that's not the point, of course. During my absence, Shang Tsung took the opportunity to orchestrate the massacre of my village. I'll never know why it was done to this day. All I know is that something inside me changed the moment I went into the village and saw what I saw. There were a couple of guards left there and I managed to kill them all without really thinking about it.

"I remember just feeling depressed, empty. Because I felt that I failed my people. I escaped because I tried to help them. Instead, they died. I blamed myself for a while, but I came to terms with it towards the end of the tournament. I realized that it could've happened even if I was there. The massacre just happened to occur at a time I wasn't there. But sometimes, I wonder if it was just Shang Tsung's way to get to me, a way to make me suffer.

"With Shang Tsung gone now, I feel that my people were avenged and I can know peace once more. I think, when we start to fight back against the Outworld Forces, it'll be a way for me to help. I feel as though it's a tribute to my people."

Kung Lao placed a hand on her shoulder after she finished. "I have a feeling, with just your words alone, that your people are proud of you already."

Li Mei smiled at that.

It was then that a monk came into the room, catching their attention. Bo' Rai Cho stood up. "Is there something you need?"

The monk briefly bowed to him before replying. "I thought you should know… some of us noticed that one of the people staying with us, Rong Yuan, is snooping around the private quarters. We tried to approach, but he was a bit aggressive."

"Did he try to hurt anyone?" Kung Lao asked.

"Not yet as far as I know. But the way he was snooping, it's as though he's looking for something."

Bo' Rai Cho turned to Kung Lao and Li Mei. "I think it's best for us to see what's going on. After all, it was the three of us who invited him to stay here."

"That would be best," Kung Lao agreed.

With that in mind, the three of them began to follow the monk to the outside world.

Shao Kahn's Fortress, Outworld

Walking into the throne room, Ivy approached the two thrones, going up the three steps before heading to her own. Before she sat down, she turned to Shao Kahn, who was already in his seat. She noted his red eyes gazing at her as though he was waiting for her to say something.

She knew what he was waiting to hear. "The attack on Lei Chen is starting as I speak," she informed him.

The Emperor nodded. "Good."

Seeing that he was in somewhat of a descent mood, Ivy decided to walk over to where he was before sitting herself down on the arm of his throne. Slowly, Shao Kahn's hand shifted a bit before placing it on the small of her back, sending a bit of a chill up her spine.

Despite feeling her shiver under the palm of his hand, Shao Kahn was able to ignore it as he proceeded. "I still haven't heard a word from Sheeva, Kintaro, and Motaro on Earthrealm. I assume they had yet to find and eliminate Dhalsim."

Ivy leaned back a bit, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "I wonder... besides him and Raiden, who else on Earth is a threat to our plans." She then looked back down at him again. "What about the Elder Gods?"

Shao Kahn almost laughed at that. "It's their nature to not get involved with conflicts. They wouldn't get involved unless I decided to physically enter any of the realms I've taken over. They masquerade as dragons, but are mere toothless worms."

"I see," Ivy said. "Too bad, it would've proved quite a challenge."

After saying that sentence, an idea came to Ivy. She didn't know why she didn't think of this person before because it was very obvious.

It's… almost perfect, the young woman thought.

As the Empress stared at Shao Kahn, a smirk came over her face.

Near Lei Chen, Outworld

As the sun began to rise, lighting up the purple sky of Outworld, a Dragonfly landed at a port with only two passengers in tow. Once it had landed completely, the two figures got off, both glad to be back on land.

The wind picked up a little, and Siegfried found himself gazing up towards the sky. "At least it's light out now."

Ermac nodded in reply. "And we just have another two hour walk before we return to Lei Chen."

Siegfried turned to him. "Do you think the city is still doing okay without us?"

"We can only hope."

Silence fell between them as they began walking forward. It didn't last very long before the Keisei native spoke once more. "What will we say to them when we get there? They had been relying on us in finding the portals, and yet we failed to do just that."

"We can only tell them the truth," Ermac replied. "Even Lord Zeffeero had his doubts about our mission, but was willing to give it a try. The best we can do is figure out a new plan." He turned to his ally. "Try not to think about it until we return to the city."

Siegfried nodded. "I'll try not to. But to be honest… I can't help but get a strange feeling about something. I can't really describe what it is, maybe it's just my imagination. But something's telling me that we need to get back to Lei Chen as soon as possible."

"Again, we're just two hours away," Ermac reminded the young man. "We'll be there soon enough."

Siegfried nodded, taking a deep breath as he tried to get himself relaxed. The truth was, however, with everything that's happened during their journey, along with their failed attempt to find an available portal, all he really wanted to do now was to return to Lei Chen and get the explanation and seeing the disappointment of it's citizens' over with.

For the next two hours, Siegfried and Ermac trekked across the land towards the area where Lei Chen was located. About three weeks ago, the two had left on a journey in hopes of discovering an available portal that would lead to a safe haven for the Lei Chen citizens. The possibility of a portal still working was very small, but it was better to try to find one than doing nothing at all.

Unfortunately, the journey was in vain as every portal they found was either deactivated or destroyed. With that, the two found themselves returning to the city empty handed.

For those two hours, there was nothing but silence with the except of the winds that was blowing rapidly against their faces. As they got closer, there was another noise, but it was one that neither of them were able to recognize. It was constant, but not consistent.

It wasn't until they were less than a half mile away that the noise became recognizable.

It was Ermac who spoke first. "Sounds like… a battle is taking place at the city!"

Siegfried immediately grabbed the hilt of his sword and drew it out. "Hopefully, we arrived just in time."

Ermac took out his axe and the two ran the rest of the way back to Lei Chen. It seemed like forever before they reached one of the hills overlooking the city. There, they saw a horrifying sight.

Buildings were on fire, creating a large, black cloud above Lei Chen. Weapons clashed as enemies fought against one another. Battles cries were heard all around, along with the terrified screams from those trying to get away from the madness. Even from a distance, they could see the shed blood on the ground and some of the tarkatans were already feasting upon those who had met their demise.

Siegfried's eyes were widened with horror. "We're too late!"

Ermac knew this even before it was said. "We'll have to save whoever is still alive and what's left of the city. Let's go!"

The two quickly began running down the hill to join the fray, not wasting a single second the moment they reached the battleground. Two tarkatans noticed them and, with their blades out, ran towards them, but were quickly taken care of as a sword and an axe sliced through their bodies, instantly killing them.

For the first couple of minutes, Siegfried slashed his sword at any enemy who went near him. Those who didn't see it coming were immediately killed, their blood covering the blade. There were those, however, who did get lucky, noting the weapon coming at them. They were able to jump out of the way, but would soon try to fight him from another angle, but they were soon taken care of as well.

After slicing another tarkatan through the torso, Siegfried stared up at his blood-covered sword. "It's worse than I thought," he said aloud about the attack on Lei Chen.

That was when he noticed one Tarkatan in particular. The biggest of them all, he remembered Ermac saying some time ago. As the mutant stared at him, Siegfried knew who this was.

"Baraka."

Baraka immediately growled at him, a few sprays of saliva spewing from between his Tarkatan teeth. "You! I figured one of you would show up in this battle!" He spread his arms out, his blades quickly emerging out with a shing! "I will cut your heart out!" With another roar, he ran forward towards the human.

Siegfried got in his fighting stance, waiting for the beast to reach him. "Let's do this."

Soon, Baraka slashed his blades with Siegfried blocking them, beginning their battle…

Meanwhile, Ermac was also taking care of any enemies who went near him. Using both of his axe and telekinetic abilities, he was able to defeat them easily. At one point, a lone tarkatan ran towards him, blades out. They briefly fought with Ermac defending himself with his axe before he found an opening and kicked the mutant in the stomach.

Then, using his powers, he lifted the tarkatan in the air, it's body glowing green. He then spreading his hands apart, making all four of the tarkatan's limbs rip apart. It's blood spewed everywhere as it screamed in agony. Ermac turned him upside down and then, using both hands again, moved them quickly downward. This made the tarkatan slam headfirst into the ground with so much force that, before it's torso fell over, there was almost nothing left of it's head.

Ermac then turned around, just in time to see a pair of pink energies shaped like sais coming towards him. He quickly raised his hands up and, using his powers, managed to stop the projectiles. He then noted two other tarkatans coming towards him. Using his powers once more, he moved each projectile quickly at them with enough force to knock them back far once they were hit.

Standing not too far, Mileena was a bit surprised by the move, but she managed to keep her composure. She began to move, almost skipping, towards the Enigma, a sai in each of her hands.

"Ah," she said almost gleefully. "Not only did I find myself a new playmate, but I managed to find the traitor!" She then got into a fighting stance. "In that case, let us dance!"

Ermac raised his axe. "We are many. You are but one."

Mileena narrowed her eyes at him. "You will be nothing once I'm through with you!"

With a battle cry, Mileena ran towards Ermac, her sais raised above her head. Ermac waiting until she was in reach before blocking her attack with his axe. From there, their own battle started…

Shaolin Temple, China

About ten minutes ago, Bo' Rai Cho, Kung Lao, and Li Mei received word from a fellow monk that one of those staying with them, Rong Yuan, was snooping around the private quarters for whatever reason. There were those who tried to go near him, but he was reported as 'aggressive.' He hadn't hurt anyone, at least not yet.

Once they were at the private quarters, it didn't take them very long to find him just coming out of one of the empty rooms. It was Bo' Rai Cho who decided to step forward.

"Is everything okay?" the older man asked him.

Rong Yuan immediately looked up at him, his face void of any sort of emotion. As he looked at Bo' Rai Cho, Kung Lao began to have a strange feeling about him, one that he couldn't explain. Just in case, however, he looked at Li Mei, giving her a brief nod before moving forward. Li Mei got the message and moved as well until Rong Yuan found himself surrounded by them.

At least they left him some breathing room.

"I'll only fight if I have to," he said, knowing why he was being surrounded. "I… had lost a scroll not long after I came here. I've been trying to find it for some time and I thought maybe it ended up here."

"What kind of scroll is it?" Bo' Rai Cho asked.

Before Rong Yuan was able to answer, the clicking sound of a gun's hammer being pulled back was heard, catching everyone's attention. They turned to where the noise was, only to see Lei Wulong and Chun Li standing there with Lei pointing a gun straight at Rong Yuan's head.

"I finally found you!" he called out. "With this invasion, you have nowhere else to go."

Naturally, the other three were confused by this. "What is this about?" Bo' Rai Cho asked.

"This is Feng Wei," Lei replied without hesitation. "He's wanted by Interpol for crimes that include destruction of property and multiple assaults on those who owned those properties. We've been looking for him for quite some time. I'm not sure how he ended up here, but that doesn't matter. He'll be under arrest."

Kung Lao sighed a little. "Seems like we heard a slightly different story. We actually let him stay with us just before you came along."

Chun Li's eyes widened a little. "You mean to tell us that Feng Wei was here the whole time?"

"He's mostly kept to himself and we didn't realize he had any sort of connection with Interpol, though apparently not a good one," Bo' Rai Cho mentioned.

"I'm sure you had good intentions when you let him stay here, Master Bo' Rai Cho," Lei said. "But this man is wanted for his crimes and must be punished."

Li Mei found herself stepping forward. "I know what Rong-um, Feng Wei did was wrong but… can't we call some sort of truce for the time being?"

Lei looked at her with confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"What I mean is… I know what he did was wrong and I know you want him arrested for his crimes, but I think fighting this invasion is more important. We need to put our conflicts aside because despite what he's done, I'm sure Feng Wei wants to survive as much as the rest of us. Despite what he's done, we need to all work together to fight a common enemy. That if, of course, unless he committed murder. Then I'd say do whatever you want with him!"

Feng Wei tried not to raise an eyebrow at that. If this woman only knew about his master…

"Besides Lei," Chun Li chimed in. "Where are you going to hold him until this is all over? In a tree?"

Lei turned to his fiance, a sheepish smile on his face. "Well… I suddenly recall saying something like that to you when you tried to arrest Kira."

Sighing a little, Lei placed his gun back in his holster. "Okay… Li Mei's right. We all have a common enemy and must stick together." He turned his attention to Feng Wei. "But under one condition. When this war is over, you're coming back with me to pay for your crimes."

Feng Wei stared at him. "I'm willing to fight alongside with you only because, yes, I do want to survive as much as the rest of you. But you'd be fooling yourself if you think the condition will be met."

"We'll see about that in the end."

With that, Feng Wei turned around and began to walk away. There was silence between everyone until Chun Li spoke. "I figured he wasn't going to try to make it easy."

Lei sighed again. "I thought so too. But we'll see…"

Shao Kahn's Fortress, Outworld

As a distant thunder was heard from outside, Emperor Shao Kahn entered a small room. It was a room with a single window, the walls made of concrete. There was only a single table covered in red velvet material, a clear ball on top of it. Sitting in a chair, a Shadow Priest sat as though it was waiting for him.

Shao Kahn moved until he was a few feet away. He pointed at the ball. "Show me the one Ivy speaks of."

Just a few minutes ago, Ivy mentioned a person who may possibly be a threat to their plans to completely take over Earth. Shao Kahn realized who she was talking about and decided to head here to visit the same Shadow Priest who showed him the location of Dhalsim.

After giving his command, the Shadow Priest waved their hands, revealing their long fingernails. The ball activated and it soon revealed an image of the person Ivy spoke of.

Shao Kahn figured as much once he instantly recognized the mortal. He folded his arms. Even he himself wondered why he didn't think about this person in the first place. It was almost perfect… almost to the point of nearly forgetting about them.

A grin came over the Emperor's face. "When the time comes, I will send a couple of my Generals to seek this one out. I will see to this one's elimination!"

For another moment, Shao Kahn stared at the ball, seeing the person in question - the runner up of the Blood Tournament, Jin Kazama!

Lei Chen, Outworld

With a roar, Mileena jumped in the air as she approached Ermac, raising one of her sais above her head. As she fell back towards the ground, she made an attempt to stab him, but Ermac saw the maneuver, managing to jump sideways and out of the way.

As Mileena attempted to get herself back up, Ermac took a moment to float himself up in the air, a green energy containing faces of the souls within surrounding him. He didn't wait for the Tarkatan woman to even turn to face him before he slammed himself down on the ground back first. The impact caused a slight earthquake in their proximity, making Mileena lose her balance.

As she attempted to get up, Ermac teleported himself behind her, landing a punch once she tried to search for him. She let out a cry as she stumbled sideways. She was able to regain herself just in time to note the enigma approaching her once more.

Not giving him a chance to get closer, Mileena threw another projectile at him, the pink energy shaped like her sai. Ermac quickly sidestepped away from it, but wasn't able to recover before Mileena jumped forward, aiming a low kick to his shins. The kick landed, forcing Ermac to stumble back before she flipped herself forward, delivering another kick to his face. Straightening herself after, she landed one last kick to his stomach, sending him back and landing on his side.

Mileena ran forward, getting ready to attack again, but she barely took a few steps forward before Ermac sat himself up and shot out a green projectile at her. The speed of the energy didn't give her enough time to move out of the way before it hit her in the torso, sending her flying back with a demonic-like cry.

This gave Ermac enough time to get back on his feet and go after her. By the time he reached her, Mileena was on her feet as well, just in time to block an incoming attack from Ermac's foot with her forearm. Mileena found herself on defense for a few seconds, blocking all of Ermac's attacks.

At one point, Mileena pushed his arm back a bit, leaving him open. Taking the opportunity, she delivered a high spin kick, but the enigma was able to duck under it. From there, she tried a low kick, but once again, Ermac avoided the attack by jumping over it. By the time he landed back on his feet, Mileena delivered one last kick to the stomach. This time, she successfully landed the blow, causing Ermac to keel over in sudden pain from the kick.

A small chuckle escaped Mileena's throat as she used her other leg to knee Ermac right in the jaw. The force was enough for him to fly back a couple of feet before landing on his back.

"You know," she said almost innocently. "I haven't had this much fun in a while. It's almost a shame that it will end very soon." She then went into a sing-song voice. "You'rrre going to diiiie."

In reply, Ermac placed a hand out, his body once again surrounded by the green faces of his souls. Then, to Mileena's surprise, she was surrounded by a green energy before finding herself floating up in the air.

"What? AHHH!" she screamed.

Ermac got himself back on his feet, still keeping his telekinetic hold on his opponent. Once he was ready, he threw his arm down, causing Mileena to slam hard into the ground with enough force to bounce her back up. While she was still in the air, Ermac took the opportunity to kick her in the back, sending her airborne a few feet before landing on the ground.

Ermac stood where he was, giving Mileena the chance to get herself back up. Feeling the new pain coursing through her body, she struggled a little to get herself up. However, once standing, she turned to Ermac, her demon-like eyes glaring at him.

"To think," she said almost bitterly. "You were created by sorcery, like myself. You're nothing more than a flawed creation and a traitor to the Emperor!"

"At least we are no longer Shao Kahn's puppet," Ermac replied. "And we have no flaws, even from the beginning."

That last comment only served to remind Mileena of her own flaw as she placed a hand over her tarkatan teeth, which were covered by her veil. Anger suddenly took over her as she drew out her sais again.

"Die, traitor!" she shrieked as she ran towards him with a roar.

Ermac simply waited until she was close enough to be a few feet away. As Mileena attempted to stab him, Ermac disappeared in a green burst before reappearing behind her. Mileena didn't get the chance to comprehend what just happened before a pair of hands glowing in a green color grabbed either side of her head. She tried to struggle out of the grip as her vision saw nothing more than green. A loud noise suddenly pierced her ears and a sudden pain hit her within her head, causing her to scream for a split second before losing consciousness, her sais dropping to the ground.

Once Ermac was done, he tossed the female half-tarkatan to the side. By then, more tarkatans were coming towards him. Turning in their direction, he got into a fighting stance, ready to battle once more…

Meanwhile, not too far from where Ermac was, Siegfried found himself on defense, blocking most of Baraka's blades with his sword. Ever since he began to help fight against the Outworld Forces, the Keisei native had fought many tarkatans. Some were nothing more than lackeys who he took care of easily. Some were more tough and gave him a bit more of a challenge, but they too would eventually fall to his blade.

Now fighting Baraka, Siegfried could see why he was not only the General, but the leader of the Tarkatan Militia… he was actually more vicious, faster, and stronger than the others he led. The more he attacked, the more Siegfried realized that he was most likely the one tarkatan who was going to give him the best challenge yet.

Eventually, as he blocked another attack from Baraka, Siegfried managed to find an opening. Taking advantage of it, he manages to knee him in the stomach, causing the Tarkatan to stagger back. Aiming the flatter, non-sharp part of his sword, Siegfried swung the weapon down, succeeding in knocking Baraka flat on the ground. Pulling his sword back a little, he waited until the General began to get up. Once he started to, Siegfried tucked his sword underneath, flat side facing Baraka's chest, before pushing him upwards, sending him flying in the air.

In mid-air, Baraka caught himself by flipping back and, as he fell back towards the ground, shot out a blue projectile at Siegfried. The young man saw this in time and ducked underneath, moving himself a couple of feet forward in the process.

As Siegfried got closer, Baraka quickly extended his arms out to the side and began to spin rapidly. Seeing this, Siegfried managed to stop himself just inches away from the blade, his blue eyes widening a bit as he realized how close he was. He ached his back a bit until Baraka stopped spinning. As the mutant turned to face the human, he was suddenly met with a head butt to the face, sending him staggering back once more as he yelled in pain.

Baraka quickly shook the pain despite the fact that he could now feel his nose starting to bleed. "You'll pay for that, human!"

Siegfried ignored his statement as he ran towards him, swinging his sword downward once he reached him. Baraka quickly blocked the moved, forced on defense as the Keisei native delivered more attacks. At one point, he managed to use the flat side of his sword once more to catch Baraka's legs before swinging upwards, sending him flying in the air. As the mutant fell back down, Siegfried kicked in the side sending him flying back.

From there, Siegfried ran back towards him to attack again. Baraka simply waited until he was close enough before digging his blades into the ground and, once the human was close enough, jumped up, using his blades for support, and kicked him in the chest with both feet. This send Siegfried backwards before landing on his rear. Once that was done, Baraka straightened himself up, removing the blades from the ground before he began to walk forward towards his enemy.

Baraka seemed to grin at his opponent as he stared at him. "You're one of the better humans I've fought as of recent. But that doesn't mean that I intend to let you live through this fight!"

Standing himself on his feet, Siegfried clenched his teeth as his grip on the hilt of his sword tightened. "My life is not for your taking!"

It was at that moment when someone came from behind and landed a kick to Baraka's back, causing him to stumble a couple of feet. The tarkatan managed to keep his balance and, with a growl, quickly turned around to face whoever attacked him. Siegfried soon got a clear view of who it was.

"Olek!" he called out as he recognized the Lei Chen General. Just as he did, Baraka began to attack Olek, who immediately defended himself using a naginata. As they continued to clash, Siegfried began to get himself up, hoping to join Olek to fight again the Tarkata General.

However, just as he got back on his feet, Baraka managed to knock the naginata out of Olek's hands. Before the Lei Chen General was able to move, Baraka managed to grab him by the shirt with both hands. Olek struggled to get out of the mutant's grip, but was never able to before Baraka's blades quickly extended out and embedded themselves through his chest.

Siegfried could only watch with wide-eyes as blood spewed from Olek's severe wounds. Baraka stared at him for another moment, let out a low, maniacal laugh before letting his blades retract into his skin. That released Olek, who immediately dropped to the ground like a rag doll. By then, another member of the Lei Chen army jumped in and began to fight Baraka.

Seeing how Baraka had now forgotten about him, Siegfried took the opportunity to check on Olek. The older man was still alive, but he knew that he didn't have much time before death came to him.

The General noted the younger man as he got down on his knee. "Siegfried… you made it back…"

Siegfried frowned. "Unfortunately, not on time…"

"… It… would've happened… at anytime… do not blame yourself… but… please… I don't think there's… hope for Lei Chen… anymore… it's best for you… to leave… while you can…"

Before Siegfried had a chance to reply, he noted Olek drawing in one last breath before closing his eyes. His head moved slightly sideways as his life ended. Siegfried stayed on his knee for another moment, bowing his head briefly to Olek in respect before getting himself back on his feet.

At that moment, he noted Ermac approaching him, and Siegfried was able to see by the tearing of his clothes and the scratches on his body that he had been through quite a bit in battle.

"General Olek," he began. "He's-"

"We know," Ermac replied. "We saw what happened to him. And Lord Zeffeero… we just witnessed seeing his head on a tarkatan's blade."

As they spoke, they noted that the battle was starting to quiet down a bit. There were still some members of the Lei Chen army still fighting, but they were clearly outnumbered by this point. Even if Ermac and Siegfried continued to assist, they knew that it would be in vain… whoever would be left would surely not survive another day anyway whether they met death or became imprisoned by the Outworld Forces.

At one point, Ermac turned his head, noting a strange, fire-like energy beginning to form nearby. As it grew bigger, he soon noticed a figure standing in front of it, waving his hands. A few seconds later, after noting the long black hair that was tied back, the pointed beard, and even the glowing green eyes similar to his own, Ermac recognized the figure;

Shang Tsung!

Ermac quickly turned to Siegfried. "Shang Tsung's nearby!" he called out as he pointed to where he was.

Siegfried followed where Ermac pointed and soon saw the sorcerer as well. "What is he doing?"

"It looks as though he's forming a portal. Let's go! We can't let him get away!"

The two soon began running, hoping to reach Shang Tsung before it was too late. As far as they knew, the sorcerer never noted their presence, not even turning around to see his surroundings before jumping through the portal. Not long after, a small group of tarkatans went through it as well, all having seen the sorcerer going through it.

"I wonder where he's going!" Siegfried called out as they were a few feet away from the portal.

"We'll find out soon enough!" Ermac answered.

They soon reached the swirling vortex with Ermac jumping forward as he entered through the energy. Siegfried following just seconds later. With the portal closing completely immediately after, the two found themselves within the vortex, not knowing where it would lead them…