-Chapter 11: The Enemy of My Enemy
The dark waves of the Sea of Blood crashed into the rocky shore, an eerie sight that reminded Hanzo and Kuai of their time as revenants. But the churning red water was not the only sight to captivate them, that honor going to the massive land bridge stretching from the Netherrealm's shores far beyond where their line of sight ended. Supported by Cetrion's powers, the Elder Goddess enabled legions of Cyber Lin Kuei and demonic oni to leave the natural realms behind and travel to Kronika's domain.
"Those warriors must be headed for Kronika's Keep." Hanzo accurately deduced.
"Agreed. But why not use Kharon's fleet?" Kuai inquired. "A bridge like that is clearly more taxing than simply transporting them by vehicular means."
"The fleet's bound to Kharon, it sails only by his command. That it's still moored suggests he won't help Kronika." Hanzo answered. Having been a Netherrealm warrior for far longer than anyone, Hanzo knew the ins and outs of this domain fluidly.
"In which case he may help us." Kuai realized, excited by the prospect they could secure the ferrymaster's aid after all. A flash of light drew their attention back to the dissipating land bridge, the last of Kronika's forces transported and Cetrion now spent after the exhaustive effort. Then a sudden cry jerked Hanzo's head to a nearby cabin, a seaside shack homely enough to be the dwelling of one man. Given Cetrion's efforts, he drew a swift conclusion.
"It looks like Kharon is home, perhaps hosting some unwelcome guests." Hanzo knew what needed to be done, their victory only a few short steps away. "Return to Earthrealm." He told Kuai. "Tell the others we've found him. I will return with confirmation soon enough, Kharon will likely need a moment to recover."
"You are certain Kharon will aid us, Hanzo?" Kuai inquired, seeking some final confirmation.
"No. But he is our best chance." Hanzo honestly answered. Another scream caused him to glance over his shoulder, the cry of pain that followed spurred him into action. "And those chances increase if I free him from his tormentor." He added.
Sneaking up the ridgeside, Hanzo stealthily approached the open cabin, stealing a glance inside as he assessed the situation. Kharon lay bound to a table, black shadow energies trapping him in place and several spikes had been bured into his limbs for good measure. At his feet stood Erebus, the shadowmancing brother of Magnus controlling Kharon's torture with one hand stretched out over him. Clad Kronika's signature white armor over his traditionally black robes, he seemed almost regally out of place here, yet clearly had no quarrel against getting his hands dirty.
"A wise man would've aided Kronika, Kharon. Now you must suffer as one of her enemies." He stated, black magicks swirling around his outstretched hand.
"I am immortal Erebus." The ferrymaster ground out. "You cannot kill me." Erebus chuckled, moving around the bound man and positioning himself before the open door Hanzo was using.
"A fact I'm very well aware of." Erebus remarked, closing his hand and causing his bonds to cut deeply into Kharon's flesh. "However, I need only render you unfit to captain your ships and ferry her enemies." He explained. Before he could continue his act of torture, Erebus felt a sharp pain in his back as something struck deep within his flesh.
"GET OVER HERE!" Hanzo bellowed, reefing back on his kunai and sending Erebus flying from the ferrymaster's home. The Erebomancer tumbled through the air and landed quite sharply on the shore below, Hanzo dropping down before him as Erebus conjured his shadow energies and picked himself up.
"For one with such a noble air, you reduce yourself to being Kronika's errand boy." The Shirai Ryu grandmaster jeered as he gripped his kunai tightly.
"The most noblest position is that of a servant, Grandmaster Hasashi." Erebus replied, dusting himself off. "My servanthood has earned me Kronika's favor," he continued, conjuring a black scimitar in his hand, "your rebellious acts will not save the Shirai Ryu." A bolt of shadow energy narrowly missed Hanzo's head as the grandmaster retorted by throwing his kunai forward. It was deflected by Erebus' blade as the erebomancer charged forward, both hands on the handle of his blade. Hanzo quickly drew his own katana in time to block his incoming blow as the two clashed, swords clanging off one another as their refined martial skill clashed in a display of equal excellence and skill.
Seeing as his usual technique was failing him, Erebus opted for more drastic measures. Converting his scimitar into energy, he made to blast Hanzo with two blackout beams only for the grandmaster to convert into a fiery skeletal form and pass through his projectiles. He then passed through Erebus himself, leaving the erebomancer feeling singed and aflame as Hanzo hoisted him up by the neck, engulfing his skin with hellfire before throwing him to the ground. Erebus stumbled and tried to turn around to counter his next attack, but Hanzo's kunai was swiftly imbedded in his shoulder. With the chain trailing across the ground, the Shirai Ryu grandmaster used it as leverage to yank back and forcefully pull Erebus to the ground, Hanzo then executing a frontflip kick that drove his heel with krushing force into the erebomancer's skull.
The low sun cast enough of a shadow for Erebus to sink into the black ground, reappearing as he emerged from a cliffside. He struck Hanzo with a lunge kick, quickly ensnaring his arms with shadowy tendrils before a shadowbolt from behind sent the grandmaster careening into Erebus' rising knee. Laid out flat on the ground, Hanzo was hoisted up by Erebus only for the Shirai Ryu to snap into action, driving his foot into the side of his knee and teleporting away, appearing on the other side with a lunge kick that knocked Erebus down. Springing back to his feet, the erebomancer quickly swallowed up Hanzo in a portal devised from the grandmaster's own shadow before launching him out of the cliffside and into Erebus' waiting boot, his skull cracking on impact as Erebus landed a krushing blow.
Pitched onto his back, Hanzo quickly righted himself as Erebus attacked him again with fists cloaked in shadow. The grandmaster quickly parried each incoming blow before he landed a spinning high kick that spun Erebus around and allowed him to plunge his fiery kunai deep into his gut. Kicking the erebomancer forward, Hanzo landed a fiery leaping punch to the back of his head that put Erebus on the ground again, down but not out.
"The Shirai Ryu will not fall." Hanzo vowed. Movement behind him suddenly drew his attention to an incoming figure, who lunged ahead and struck Hanzo across the face, sending him tumbling.
"Your clan of imposters will indeed fall!" Scorpion roared. Massaging his jaw, Hanzo eyed the image of his former self; a fiery hellish spectre who showed no mercy and cared little for others. It was rather shocking to see himself again as Scorpion, only this time Hanzo knew exactly how to approach his past self.
"I've restored the Shirai Ryu, built a clan that's never been stronger." He stated as he rose.
"On a foundation of pretenders and outsiders!" Scorpion snapped as he drew his katana. "Kronika told me the truth."
"But not the whole truth." Hanzo responded, drawing his own sword as the two clashed. With even ability and equal skill, their battle was too close to call. Not even their powers could tip the odds, Hanzo's control over hellfire as great as Scorpion's. The spectre attempted to spear the grandmaster, only to have his chain grabbed as Hanzo sent a burst of hellfire ripping through the links and singed the spectre. Gasping for breath as his chain retracted, Scorpion sized up his future self.
"Without our original bloodlines, there is no Shirai Ryu. Our clan's massacre extinguished them! Kronika will revive the true Shirai Ryu in the New Era." He proclaimed.
"Do not trust Kronika!" Hanzo warned. "She uses your anger to enslave you, as Quan Chi did both of us." He approached the kombat-ready Scorpion with kunai drawn. "I let fo my rage, and it saved me. To save yourself, you must do the same!" He urged. But Scorpion was in no mood to listen and sent his kunai hurtling towards Hanzo,
"GET OVER HERE!"
Having completed her latest task, Cetrion floated beside her mother within the halls of her Keep, Kronika working hard on the Hourglass as she bore a frown of concern. Her mind was divided, she knew she needed to devote herself to preparing the Hourglass, but recent events transpiring beyond her grip on reality caused her more worry than she could contend with.
"Sindel has been restored." She told her daughter. "Shang Tsung would only undertake such an arduous task if her aid promised a decisive advantage."
"She is but one mortal-" Cetrion protested.
"And one of the few who can harm you." Kronika stated, turning to fully regard the Elder Goddess. "The arcane spirit within her is more than enough to challenge your powers."
"I fear no harm, Mother." Cetrion promised. Kronika nodded and turned her gaze back to her work.
"They are at Shang Tsung's island." She revealed.
"The crown!" Cetrion gasped. "Shang Tsung knows."
"Then our time for preparation is over." Kronika decided. "Go to the island now. We cannot win their hearts, so do not try. Do not permit your better nature to compromise you."
"I understand, Mother." Cetrion replied, floating back as she summoned her powers to convert her body. The green of her living, leafy dress and crystalline accessories faded to red as Cetrion's spirit shifted to the far more violent part of her natural connection. Her blue skin deepened to violet, her green eyes transforming into a crimson gleam, fire and flames transformed her into a far more wrathful being who was anything but merciful...
Elsewhere, in Earthrealm...
Shang Tsung's portal deposited the foursome onto his island, a place that had borne the ravages of time quite poorly as they soon discovered.
It had been decades since anyone had set foot on Shang's island, not since the last Mortal Kombat tournament, the entire island grey in tone and shrouded by cloudy mists. Ruined debris lay scattered about the paths and walkways, structures long abandoned crumbling into disarray. Passing under the grand gateway to the central courtyard, further evidence of death and decay was revealed to them.
Strung up by their necks, the decaying bodies of dead monks swayed in the stale wind, the group pausing to survey the macabre scene with mixed emotions.
"They couldn't go on." Shang mused as he eyed the corpses. "I am touched by their devotion." An eyeball suddenly popped free of its socket and splattered to the ground before them, Sindel stepping away from the grisly debris.
"I question their judgement." Nightwolf remarked as they moved on.
"Have neither of you any compassion?" Shang snidely wondered.
"None for fools who follow you." The Matoka warrior bit back.
"Are we not following him now?" Sindel wondered of her comrades as they entered the courtyard. "Does that not make us equally foolish?" Nightwolf stayed silent, unable to form a response.
He would not have a chance to, either, for a sudden hypersonic force encircled them.
Moving at speeds faster than the eye could track, all the foursome could see was a single blurr of motion trailing around them, surrounding them repeatedly. Fujin, timing his moves just right, stepped forward and unleashed a gust of wind that caught Kabal as he passed, the revenant pitched back and sent sliding across the ground.
"You may run like the wind, Kabal, but I command it." Fujin announced as the revenant recovered. "You should've devised a better plan." He and his allies advanced on Kronika's agent, prepared for kombat.
"There's more to come." The revenant promised. On cue, Jade stepped forward from behind a call, emerging into the light with her staff at the ready. Now the group had two revenants to deal with, numbers that shifted as Jade drove her staff into the ground, unleashing pulsing waves of necrotic energy that covered the island grounds.
"Rise! In Shinnok's name!" She commanded in a loud voice. Soon enough, the corpses of monks began to thrash as they were jerked back to consciousness, Jade's dark magicks reviving a small army of zombies to aid her and Kabal. They dropped down from their nooses, rose from their graves and pulled themselves up from the stands on which they had sat, having meditated into oblivion so many years ago.
Now surrounded by more than one undead warrior, Shang, Fujin, Nightwolf and Sindel had their work cut out for them.
"You will be returned to the Void." Jade proclaimed, levelling her staff at the original trio. "Not even she can help you." Without another word, the monks attacked, Nightwolf and Sindel fending off zombies left and right as Jade clashed with the sorcerer, Shang Tsung's kombat prowess more than enough to match the Netherrealm assassin. Having drawn his crossbow, Fujin put down a pair of monks before attempting to snipe Kabal mid-run. The revenant proved too fast, however, and dodged each bolt before coming to a stop before the ammoless wind god.
"Too slow. I expected better, Fujin." He taunted, ready for kombat as Fujin made to oblige him. Kabal was quick to open up with a thrust from his hook swords, only for the god of wind to sidestep and then take control of the very air in Kabal's lungs. Drawing it out and conjuring a solid mass with his powers, Fujin promptly blew Kabal over with a burst from his own breath. As the revenant recovered, his opponent was already moving, walking on air well over Kabal's head with enough speed that even a reaching slice with his hook sword could not even catch his ankle. Fujin then reversed his walk into a dive kick that slammed into the back of Kabal's head, pitching him forward yet again.
Just as the revenant tried to pick himself up, Fujin came storming in as he used his powers to hover off the ground and land a series of spinning kicks that knocked Kabal higher into the air with each one. His kusanagi blade pulled from its scabbard, the blade then twirled around instead of his feet, slashing Kabal multiple times before knocking him back down to the ground. Picking himself up, Kabal drew his twin hook swords with a growl as Fujin alighted before him. He charged ahead with rapid slashes, each one blocked and parried by the equally swift Fujin, his thin sword posing a far greater danger than Kabal had first assumed. This fact was further amplified when Fujin sent his blade whirling like a drill into Kabal's shoulder before pulling back and attacking with a heavy overhead slash that left a bloody wound running down the revenant's torso. Knowing time was short, Fujin made to end this confrontation as soon as possible... and he knew just how to do it.
Kabal quickly went on the offensive, dashing past Fujin and sending him spinning. But just when he thought he had the wind god on the ropes, Fujin converted the energy conjured by his spin into a gusting wind funnel of his own, sending it towards the revenant and catching him in a billowing whirlwind that spun him in circles. Priming a single bolt in his crossbow, Fujin scored a direct headshot that knocked Kabal out of the wind and crashing into some nearby debris, the revenant groaning as he fell still among the wreckage.
"Perhaps now I meet your expectations." The wind god remarked, satisfied with his victory. Jade suddenly hurtled past him, sent flying by a powerful kick from Shang Tsung, her body tumbling across the ground as her mask was dislodged from her face and she lay still. Fujin made to rejoin the others amid the bodies of defeated monks, reduced to corpses once more.
"If these two are here then Cetrion must be on her way, well before the Briggs arrive." Shang mused as he surveyed the aftermath.
"Sindel and I will occupy her. You two find the crown." Nightwolf responded. Sharing a nod, sorcerer and wind god left them behind as Shang led the way forward, deep into the winding caverns situated beneath the island.
Once upon a time, this subterranean realm had been the lair of Prince Goro during his tenure as Outworld's reigning Mortal Kombat champion. These days, however, they had become little more than an empty dungeon and a hazardous labyrinth only the bold dared to explore.
Walking the stone path in silence, a burning question sat on Fujin's mind, one that he had wrestled with since the beginning of this unusual alliance with unlikely allies. Eventually, he could bear the silence no longer and was determined to sate his curiosity.
"I must ask, sorcerer, how long before you betray us?" He queried, cutting right to the heart of the matter. Shang Tsung merely chuckled.
"I find your lack of faith amusing." He told the wind god. Fujin, however, did not and stopped him.
"When it happens, we will be ready." He promised with a glare. With the barest of nods and an emotionless expression, Shang Tsung merely motioned for Fujin to continue, walking in step with the wind god without another word.
They soon arrived in the throne room, Goro's throne dusty and deserted. In an adjoining antechamber, a green glow beckoned the two onwards, Shang and Fujin slowly approaching the crown within its soul reservoir. Empowered by the Well of Souls above it, the green energy was directed down to this chamber where Kronika's specialized soul crown hovered in place on a special pedestal. To Fujin, it was exactly as the sorcerer had described it, made of smooth white metal with gold and blackened highlights, definitive of the Kronika they had both been witness to. They both approached it and Fujin reached out to take it...
"Do me a favor, Fujin," a voice called out, halting him as the two whirled around to face the newcomer, "and take one giant step back." The glow of a lit cigar was the first telltale indicator of the quarry, as were the glowing white eyes beside it. Emerging from the darkness, Jax and Noob Saibot made their presence known. "You too, sorcerer." The retired sergeant ordered. He now wore the white and gold-trimmed armor like many of Kronika's minions, the metal comprising a new set of arms complete with dark synthflesh that matched his own. "Makes sense we'd meet again down here." Jax told Shang Tsung. "When you caged me up... beat me within an inch of my life... the hell if I ain't gonna return the favor!"
"Always so generous..." The wizened sorcerer mused, narrowly avoiding the sizzling cigar Jax had flicked in his direction but failed to stop the incoming blow that suddenly slammed into his head as the Briggs of the present laid into him. Noob took his cue and attacked Fujin, the wind god anticipating such a move. He was easily fended off and Fujin quickly knocked him to the ground, pouncing on the abyssal spectre with a roar. But a ghost ball sent him sprawling and Noob quickly conjured a portal with the gravity of a black hole to back it. Despite his godly powers, Fujin was dragged closer and closer to the inky blackness, his descent aided by Saibot as the spectral shadow sprung from the portal and made to drag Fujin the rest of the way down. Clawing the ground for dear life, Fujin was soon sucked out of sight and Noob made to join Jax's attack on Shang Tsung.
He was halted when Fujin suddenly surged back out of the portal before it could close, twisting through the air until he landed between Noob and the ongoing brawl.
"A new trick, Bi-Han?" The wind god inquired. "Amusing. But insufficient."
"You lost to me at your temple, Fujin." Noob rasped in retort, drawing his sickle in preparation for kombat. "Now, Kronika has made me even stronger."
"You did not win that fight," Fujin responded, gusting energies gathering beneath his feet, "you ran away."
Elsewhere...
Scorpion lay on the ground, his attire bearing the marks of kombat as he struggled to overcome being bested by Hanzo. The grandmaster slid his kunai away and slowly approached the spectre.
"It's past time you were freed." He quietly stated. "We both know what truly drives you; it's not Shirai Ryu pride... it's your wife and child." Having grappled with this same struggle in the past, Hanzo knew just how to counsel his past self. Scorpion pounded the dirt as the sensitive issue was raised.
"Harumi and Satoshi were stolen from me... Murdered!" He roared. Hanzo could hear the pain in his voice. "Seeing them again is all that matters."
"We share this pain. I fought through hell to end it. But Kronika's New Era is not the remedy." Hanzo told him. "She would resurrect Shinnok! The same devil who brought death to our family and clan. He cannot be allowed to return." His gave Scorpion pause and the spectre stayed silent and listened. "When I revived the Shirai Ryu, I vowed our clan would ensure Earthrealm's protection. Help me keep that promise." Hanzo then extended his hand to Scorpion, the spectre taken aback by his offer. He knew not what to say... and did not get a chance.
A sudden shadowy tendril wrapped around Hanzo's neck and pulled him back into Erebus' clutches, the shadowmancer trapping him in a conjured chokehold.
"Permit me to return the favor of attacking from behind." He hissed, a black dagger forming in his hand before it was driven into Hanzo's gut. The grandmaster lurched, his own blood spilling out as Erebus' shadowy energies began to seep into his body and turned his veins visibly black. With a cry he was flung back to the ground, the knife dissipating as Erebus summoned his scimitar again. "Kronika knew seeing your former self would distract you, Grandmaster. It seems you know not how to release your past sins." He stated. "Now... I shall end your miserable life." Raising his blade high, Erebus was in a prime position to behead Hanzo, doing away with him once and for all...
But Scorpion suddenly teleported behind the Erebomancer and drove his katana deep into his shoulder, Erebus crying out and losing focus as his blood splattered across the ground. His blade dissipated as Scorpion spun around and unleashed a blade of flame that knocked Erebus to his knees.
"No... it is your life that ends!" The spectre promised, charging forward with katana raised high. Erebus quickly summoned the shadows formed by Scorpion himself to entangle the spectre's legs, trapping him long enough for Erebus to dive into the shadows cast by the nearby cliff and disappear from sight. His limbs released, Scorpion forsook pursuit and rushed to Hanzo's side, helping his future self into a seated position as the grandmaster clutched the open wound in his abdomen. "You need help." Scorpion said.
"It is... too late. His shadow magick is a poison in my veins." Hanzo coughed. He could feel his life ebbing away, Erebus' magicks taking their toll in a gradually swift manner. He looked up to his past self, knowing there was still a mission to be completed.
If not one Scorpion, then another would finish this.
"Raiden is at the Fire Gardens. Enlist... Kharon's aid." He charged the spectre. "Bring the armies of Earthrealm and... O-Outworld to the Keep. You must!" He implored. Scorpion nodded.
"You have my word." He promised. Hanzo nodded, knowing his words had helped change Scorpion's perspective. His body fell limp and he sagged in the spectre's hold.
"The new Shirai Ryu... are worthy. It's heart... not blood, that makes them warriors." He imparted with his dying breath. Soon after, the erebomancy took its toll and Hanzo's vision was consumed by inky blackness as his breathing still and his head drooped. Scorpion could feel his life leave him and paused breifly to mourn his own death.
Noob Saibot had been defeated, as had Jax after Fujin prevented Shang Tsung from stealing his soul. Having bested him as quickly and painlessly as possible, Fujin stood triumphant as Jax slumped over on the ground.
"Kronika is not the answer, Jackson. She will not heal your wounds." Fujin told him, offering Jax a hand up. The dark-skinned man looked up, but did not accept his offer.
"Dammit, Fujin, you know what I've suffered." He groaned, falling into a seated position. "Kronika is my one chance to prevent all that. And not just me... but for Jacqui. For Vera." Fujin knew before him, his eyes searching and his expression attentive, yet Jax still felt like he was talking to a wall. "Shit, you're a god. Ain't no way you get how this feels." Jax grumbled.
Little did he realize that Fujin did understand.
"When I left the Sky Temple to live among humans, Raiden and I had a fight." The wind god informed him. "'Do not become attached to them, Fujin. Sentiment will impede the execution of your duty.'" He continued, mimicking Raiden's voice, much to Jax's minor amusement. Fujin then leaned closer. "But warriors like you and I, we are strengthened by sentiment. We do not fight to kill enemies. We fight to protect our loved ones." He said. "That is why it cuts so deeply when we fail." A look of realization came over Jax as he listened to Fujin and his expression brightened.
"Well, I'll be." He said with an amazed chuckle. "Maybe you do get it." Fujin smiled and rose, offering Jax his hand again. This time, he took it.
"Kronika knows your pain. She manipulates you with it. You are not alone, Jackson Briggs, you are not the only wounded warrior she has coerced into service." Fujin assured him, recalling the likes of Scorpion. "Jacqueline is on her way here and Kronika expects you to fight her. Worse, even, break her heart." He said, knowing how the events of Shang's island were supposed to transpire. "Is that someone who cares one wit about you or your family?" The expression on Jax's face indicated he thought not, but he never got a chance to verbally express his agreement.
The caverns suddenly trembled and shook violently as loosed rock rained down from above. Each chunk was larger than the last and Shang, Fujin and Jax swiftly took cover before the cavern ceiling suddenly gave way and collapsed, a large piece of debris slamming into the ground and bearing a groaning Sindel upon it. The Edenian noblewoman attempted to pick herself up, only to be snared and hoisted by a series of living tendrils reaching down from the hole above. Sindel was hoisted back into the grey sunlight over the island and brought face to face with her attacker.
Cetrion had arrived.
"You were to defeat me?" The Elder Goddess scornfully scoffed.
"I am not finished yet!" Sindel retorted. Using her hair, the Queen mother gripped and severed Cetrion's binds, allowing her to drop to he ground winded but freed. Nightwolf took over and sent two energized tomahawks hurtling towards Cetrion, only for each one to be halted by a conjured rock wall. Summoning his bear spirit, Nightwolf charged and brought the rocks tumbling down with a supernatural shoulder shunt. He narrowly avoided a burst of flame by rolling out of the way, Cetrion turning her wrath on him as her tendrils ensnared his neck and hoisted Nightwolf into the air.
"Abide Kronika's will!" She forcefully commanded, choking the life out of him. In a rasping voice, Nightwolf recited an incantation that enveloped them both in spirit fire, shocking Cetrion long enough for Sindel to snare her with long silver locks of hair and throw the Elder Goddess to the ground. Nightwolf landed in a crouched position, his power drained yet still evident as the blue fire receded.
"Can you still fight?" Sindel inquired as she helped him stand. Taking a breath and gathering his composure, Nightwolf slowly nodded.
"I'll do what I can." He replied. Together, the two allies advanced on Cetrion, the goddess of nature rising as she summoned her full power.
"Kronika offered the future, but instead, you will have none." She told them both. "Blame only yourselves for this fate." Seeing as she was far better prepared than Nightwolf, Sindel went on the offensive, unleashing a bolt of solid sonic energy from her mouth that struck Cetrion's boulder wall. The Elder Goddess fiercely retaliated with an orb of water that launched Sindel into the air, moments before her powers over creation froze the soaked Sindel. Lifting a boulder from the ground, Cetrion hurled it towards the hapless queen and smashed her to the ground, a loud crack echoing from her ribs. But as she approached the fallen Sindel, Nightwolf intervened by loosing a pair of spirit arrows that struck Cetrion in the chest and neck, waylaying her long enough for Sindel to climb back to her feet.
The Edenian queen promptly snatched her with her hair and drew Cetrion in, lashing out with a kick that sent the Elder Goddess spinning. She then drew her kwan dao spear and stabbed deep into Cetrion's torso. Her hair then reached out and pulled the Elder Goddess down the spear's shaft, blood turning the handle slick, until a sudden banshee shriek sent Cetrion flying back. Not to be outdone, the Elder Goddess rose and pounded the earth beneath her, generating a small earthquake that caused Sindel to lose her footing and collapse. Taking flight, Cetrion unleashed a bolt of flame that seared Sindel before disappearing in a burst of water, reappearing behind the rising Edenian with a drill kick that pitched her forward. Sindel promptly turned and unleashed a burst of solid sonic energy that struck the earth, pitching Cetrion into the air before she cartwheeled forward and drove her back down. Unleashing the arcane phantom within her, a powerful banshee scream sent Cetrion sprawling.
Rising to her knees, Cetrion guided her tendrils down into the earth, sprouting before Sindel and snaring her as they burst into flames, driving the Edenian to her knees before the fallen Elder Goddess. But Nightwolf quickly intervened and summoned his spirit aura to harden his offence, slamming shoulder-first into Cetrion and then driving his tomahawk into her jaw in a hard uppercut. Drawing his gunstock club from behind, an overhead blow promptly slammed Cetrion back to the ground, allowing Sindel to vault over her and snare the goddess' neck with her hair before driving her into the ground in an overhead cartwheel slam.
The fallen Elder Goddess proved tough, tough enough to spring to her feet even after that combined assault. Sindel quickly devised a plan, putting Cetrion on edge with another bolt of sonic energy that was promptly blocked by a raised rock barrier. "Nightwolf!" She cried and the Matoka answered by hurling his tomahawk forward and sticking it deep within Cetrion's neck. Shouting an incantation, a burst of holy lightning struck his weapon and electrified Cetrion along with it, priming her for Sindel's final assault.
A burst of banshee sonics left Cetrion dazed long enough for Sindel to grab her with her hair and pull her close, her extended kwan dao spear piercing clean through Cetrion's torso. Taking flight, Sindel pulled Cetrion with her, snapping her out in a violent whiplash before pitching her back down to the ground, throwing her spear with enough force to stab clean through the goddess' mouth and pin her. Dropping down from above, Sindel's heels speared clean through Cetrion's face, leaving her a bloody heap on the ground as Sindel vacated her body with weapon in hand. Struggling with just getting to her hands and knees, a bloody Cetrion could not find the strength to continue the kombat.
"It is your fate that should concern you, Cetrion." Sindel stated as she stood over the defeated goddess. As Cetrion struggled to rise, the fearsome beating had yet to end as Sindel summoned her banshee spirit and unleashed another powerful scream that send Cetrion tumbling across the ground. Rushing winds filled the courtyard as Fujin, Shang Tsung and Jax emerged from the hole in the ground, landing all around the downed Cetrion and surrounding her. Summoning his powers, Fujin called forth sharp pieces of debris from all around and sent each one hurtling towards the goddess. Impaled from every direction, Cetrion cried out as her skin turned red with her own blood and other splashes stained the stone ground beneath her.
One of Fujin's whirlwinds carried her high into the air, making her a prime target as Shang Tsung conjured a molten cobra from the ground, the behemoth construct rising up and staring down the wounded Cetrion. With a flick of its fiery tongue, the serpent lunged forward with mouth open and devoured Cetrion before plunging back down into the earth and dissipating from view. With Cetrion taken with it, the threat had passed and the champions stood victorious.
Using his magicks, Fujin restored Nightwolf's strength and helped the Matoka to stand, the group of five now surveying the aftermath of their efforts.
"Well, Shang Tsung, your strategy proved sound after all." Fujin remarked to the sorcerer.
"Of course it did." The smug villain responded.
"The treacherous old snake still has his uses, it would seem." Sindel concurred, Shang politely nodding in acceptance. The thudding of a dozen footsteps drew their attention to the courtyard gate, where Jacqui, past Jax and a company of SF troopers arrived on the scene with weapons drawn. Their rifles were swiftly leveled towards the sorcerer.
"Hands over your head, Shang Tsung!" Jax snapped.
"You too, Sindel!" Jacqui echoed, her arm cannons trained on the Edenian queen. "That hair so much as twitches..." Before her threat could be finalized, Jax quickly stepped to the forefront of the group.
"Ease up, baby girl." He urged, hands raised in a submissive display for the troopers. With wide eyes, Jacqui and past Jax lowered their weapons.
"Dad?" She asked incredulously, sizing up his new look. "How did you get here?"
"We're all on the same side against Kronika." He explained. "Including Shang Tsung and Sindel." Jacqui gave her father a sideways glance, uncertain if this was the truth or some illusion of Shang Tsung's.
"Yes. And now we must bring this to Raiden." Fujin stated, stepping forward and revealing the Soul Crown glowing with green energy.
"Is that a crown?" Jacqui wondered, knowing she could trust Fujin but still confused by all of this.
"What's it for?" Past Jax queried.
"More like 'who'." Fujin corrected. "It is Kronika's crown. Without it, she lacks the power to restart history." He revealed.
"About time we had some good news." Past Jax remarked with a growing smile.
"I must return to Outworld. Much quality time with my daughter has been lost and I intend to make up for it." Sindel told her comrades.
"Very well. We will all convene at the Sea of Blood once the plan has been finalized." Fujin replied. Sindel curtsied and walked over to Shang Tsung.
"Sorcerer, if you would."
"But of course, my lady." He politely responded, conjuring his magicks to construct a portal back to her home realm. "I will join you once Raiden is fully aware of our plan. You will need my help to restore Jerrod."
"Then we shall await your arrival... not eagerly, mind you." Sindel stated, stepping through the portal and vanishing from sight. The portal closed behind her as Nightwolf made his own plans.
"I'll go with the Briggs family to brief the Special Forces." He told Fujin.
"May the Great Spirit protect you." The wind god offered as they shook hands.
"May she protect you, Fujin, when Raiden lays eyes on you with Shang Tsung." Nightwolf remarked in response. But before they parted ways, the Matoka guardian had something on his mind. "Now that we have the crown, we're in uncharted territory. We've changed this timeline for good."
"Correct." Shang agreed as he approached them. "No one can predict what happens next. Not even me."
A battered and bloody Cetrion struggled to rise on the floor of Kronika's Keep, red stains marking the polished grounds as she attempted to look up at her mother... for Kronika was most displeased.
"Without the crown there can be no New Era." She growled angrily.
"This failure rests on my shoulders." Cetrion confessed, clutching one of her many puncture wounds.
"No. I underestimated Shang Tsung's ingenuity." Kronika told her daughter. "To escape the Void... to return from the future..."
"I will face him again, Mother." Cetrion quickly offered. "This time, I will succeed."
"I must go." Kronika countered her mind already made up. "With Shang Tsung in possession of the crown, he's become far too dangerous... so much so, I doubt his new allies realize how dangerous he is." She mused.
"But what will you do? If he were to use the crown against you, it could be fatal." Cetrion wondered in worry.
"Division is my strongest weapon now. I have been busy preparing for a moment such as this. I will not face Shang Tsung alone." Kronika answered. "I will put his newfound allies asunder. Shang Tsung may be powerful and crafty... but so am I."
Author's Note: Next chapter, Kronika's jaw-dropping plan!