Liu Kang was angry. Not like this was a surprise, his rage had been a constant of his revenant existence. However, given that his attack on Jade and her allies had failed, and that the woman he loved as well as several of his old friends were now aligned with his killer, his anger was especially potent.
All that remained by his side now were Kung Lao, proof that bonds of family overpowered even the revenant corruption, and Smoke, who was hardly himself since his transformation.
The self-proclaimed emperor of the Netherrealm with no kingdom, no subjects, no army, and most stinging of all for Liu Kang, no empress to rule alongside. Just a hollow castle taken from a headless devil. And two compatriots who seemed like the only ones left still loyal to him.
But still he marched on. Detouring from his original plan of striking Raiden directly in order to lash out at Jade had taken the remaining revenants a considerable distance from Shinnok's former temple. They kept going regardless. One positive of being a revenant: immunity to physical exhaustion. They could still feel mental exhaustion, not like any of the three would ever admit to such.
The revenants were not the only beings in the Netherrealm determined to continue towards their goal. One other example was the Champion of the Elder Gods, Bi-Han, and his two Oni allies, Moloch and Drahmin. The three trekked not simply to reach a location, but also to track down their enemies: a small group of aligned demons with sinister purpose. Bi-Han believed them to be a threat to the realms, possibly the very reason the Elder Gods had dispatched him to the Netherrealm. Moloch and Drahmin simply wanted to settle the score after their last battle.
In addition to the three, Moloch's pet, a giant owl named Herald, flew overhead and surveyed the skies for them. As they were walking, Herald evidently spotted something. He flew down and landed on Moloch's arm, hooting to try and communicate with his owner.
"Hey guys!" Said Moloch. "I think Herald's seen something!"
"Is it our quarry?" Bi-Han asked.
"Our what?" Moloch asked back.
"The guys we're chasing." Drahmin clarified.
"Oh," Moloch responded, before shrugging. "I dunno, all I know is he saw something."
The Oni Destroyer turned his attention to his pet. "Show us what you saw, Herald!" He said encouragingly.
The owl nodded and took flight in the direction of what he had spotted. Bi-Han and the two Oni followed it, leading them to a vantage point where they could see the three revenants from afar.
"That's not the guys we fought." Moloch pointed out.
"No, but..." Bi-Han looked more closely at the three. His eyes widened. "Follow me."
The two Oni did as instructed and they approached the revenants.
"Who wants to interfere in our affairs now?" Liu Kang growled.
"Looks like two Oni, and-" Kung Lao started to say.
"It doesn't matter!" Liu Kang shouted. "Get rid of them!"
He blasted a crimson fireball which would have struck Bi-Han had Moloch not jumped in the way and taken the blow. The Oni Destroyer roared at the revenants and launched his ball and chain. The two Shaolin revenants jumped out of the way of the ball while Smoke was out of its range to begin with.
"Moloch, wait!" Bi-Han ordered.
"They started it!" Moloch argued.
"Just let me try a different approach, alright?" Bi-Han requested.
"Ok…" Moloch said, somewhat disappointedly.
"Uhh Bi, I don't think these guys are gonna be interested in the whole 'quest for the Elder Gods to put this hellhole in order' shtick." Pointed out Drahmin.
Liu Kang clenched his fists, and the other two revenants gave disdainful looks.
"You serve the Elder Gods?" Liu Kang asked. "Who even are you? You look familiar to me."
"You may have seen me at the tournament, Liu Kang," Bi-Han reminded him. "It is unfortunate that the Netherrealm's corruption would take even one such as you. I recall you being a noble warrior, certainly far more noble than I."
"I don't need your pity," Liu Kang responded. "And I do remember you. The first Sub-Zero, yes?"
Bi-Han nodded."That is correct. My true name is Bi-Han."
"What do you want, Bi-Han?" Kung Lao asked.
"I think my cousin raises a good point." Liu Kang added, crossing his arms.
"I want to help you," Bi-Han explained. "I know of a way to free you all from this corruption."
"Raiden attempted the same trickery," Smoke pointed out. "We do not bargain with emissaries of the high and mighty Elder Gods."
For the first time, Bi-Han got a good look at his former comrade, and his brother's closest friend.
"Tomas…" Bi-Han said. "When I saw you from that clearing, I hoped it wasn't truly you. Please, let me help you, old friend."
"I am not your 'friend', pawn of the Elder Gods!" Smoke shouted. "I am Enenra! And I have had enough of fools taking pity on some weak, easily defeated dead man!"
Smoke lashed out by blasting Bi-Han with a dark cloud to obscure his vision and then launching punches and kicks while his opponent was at this disadvantage.
Although Liu Kang was the leader of the revenants, he took a cue from his ally in this case and began attacking, launching another fireball at Moloch, hitting the Oni Destroyer in the face. Moloch roared angrily at this and charged at Liu Kang like a gorilla.
Kung Lao meanwhile threw his razor hat at Drahmin. The blade embedded itself in the Oni Tormentor's rotten flesh but had no other effect than Drahmin simply pulling it out and throwing it aside.
Kung Lao then used the hat as an anchor point for him to teleport and strike Drahmin with a flurry of punches.
Things were certainly not going as Bi-Han had hoped, and it left him no choice but to turn the tables. He summoned a portal beneath him and used it to teleport away from Smoke. Smoke absorbed the fog cover he had created back into his body and began searching for his opponent. Bi-Han reappeared just beneath him and hit Smoke with an uppercut, knocking him to the ground.
"Tomas, listen to me!" Bi-Han pleaded. "I know what Shinnok's cruel magics are like, I was once under a similar spell as Noob Saibot. You are not your true self!"
"I am my truest self," Smoke denied. "No longer restrained to the shell of some pathetic human!"
Smoke's body began to be surrounded by a dark fog, obscuring his features as his eyes shifted from glowing orange to a deep red.
"No more weakness! No more limitations!"
"Tomas!" Bi-Han shouted.
"No more wretched humanity! No more Tomas Vrbada!"
Suddenly, Smoke transformed, becoming a ghastly demon, a living dark cloud.
The demon that had been within him all along…
"ONLY ENENRA!" he finished ranting as he flew straight at Bi-Han.
The dark phantom roared and extended its arms to grab the former Sub-Zero. Bi-Han rolled out of the way and launched a blast of ice, but went right through the Enenra and only managed to freeze a patch of the ground.
Switching to his other power, Bi-Han forged twin swords out of darkness. When the rage-fueled Enenra charged again, Bi-Han slashed at it, only to find his weapons absorbed into it as the Enenra flew right through his body like a ghost, inflicting a pain that Bi-Han could not quite understand or put into words, but one he knew was horrible.
Bi-Han regained his bearings and turned to face the Enenra. The creature was grinning at him. It knew it had the upper hand.
Cryomancy didn't work. The powers of a wraith didn't work. And Bi-Han highly doubted that the creature's true weakness was the humble punch.
All he could do was try to avoid this creature's attacks while desperately trying to form a solution.
Moloch's battle was relatively less harrowing. His opponent responded to physical strikes, his preferred method of combat. His opponent was also a two-time Mortal Kombat champion who had trained under the likes of Bo' Rai Cho. So every powerful punch from the Oni Destroyer was paid in kind with a flame-coated fist.
Frustrated by this, Moloch raised both arms over his head and tried to simply smash Liu Kang into the ground. Simple tactics were far and away from what it would take to beat him however. When Moloch slammed his fists down, Liu Kang jumped up and delivered a flaming kick to the Oni's jaw, causing Moloch to stumble backward.
An arrogant smirk had crossed Liu Kang's face as he landed. He finally felt in control of a battle.
"I've faced large brutes like you before," Liu Kang boasted. "Goro, Shao Kahn. I defeated them all! You don't even stand a chance!"
"Yeah? Well…"
Unable to think of a verbal response, Moloch launched his ball and chain at impressive speed. Liu Kang was able to avoid the attack, but Moloch kept swinging, determined to hit his mark, like a life or death game of wack-a-mole. Liu Kang was forced to go on the defensive, jumping and ducking and dodging every time the large metal ball came his way.
Kung Lao was facing a less towering foe, but a no less unrelenting one. Drahmin swung his iron club with a beastial ferocity, coupling it with the occasional punch for good measure. All of this certainly kept Kung Lao on his toes, dodging and counter striking as best he could. The former Shaolin was faster and more precise than Drahmin, giving him somewhat of an edge.
After backflipping out of the way of Drahmin's iron club, Kung Lao removed his hat and slashed at the Oni Tormentor with it. The blade managed to strike Drahmin's mask, causing him to stumble back.
A few moments later, it became apparent that hit had more of an effect than just that. Drahmin clenched his mask, holding it like it were his own face that had been injured. Images flashed in his mind. Images of another life, pieces of a puzzle he'd been trying to put together ever since he found this mask. Proof that he was something more than just a normal Oni. Or at least, that he had been.
It wasn't exactly a mystery Drahmin intended to solve while in the heat of battle, and the visions caused him some level of pain that he couldn't quite grasp. When the strange and disorganized visions faded, Drahmin glared at Kung Lao with a fury somehow conveyed through his mask.
Drahmin's club began glowing with a blue flame, an ethereal blue smoke billowing from the eye holes of the mask and creating a small blue horn of fire on Drahmin's forehead. Drahmin then charged right at Kung Lao.
"You're DEAD!" yelled the Oni Tormentor.
Kung Lao rolled out of the way of Drahmin's swing. Nearby, Bi-Han was still struggling with the Enenra. Kung Lao extended his foot out while on the ground to trip Drahmin, causing the Oni to stumble forward and bring his flaming club right into the path of the Enenra.
Though all of Bi-Han's attacks had been entirely futile, the blue flame from Drahmin's club actually managed to affect the Enenra, causing it to recoil and back away.
"Huh?" Drahmin said as he noticed this. "What, is it my smell? Well I'll have you know that the flies love it!"
"No Drahmin, it's the light from your flame!" Bi-Han corrected, having realized the demon's true weakness.
The Enenra itself would not tolerate such knowledge, and charged at Bi-Han while roaring. Its arms transformed into blades and its eyes blazed with fury.
Drahmin attempted to impede the Enenra, but Kung Lao hit him in the back of the head with a flying kick.
Bi-Han had no real defense against the creature. Not only that, but this creature was holding the soul of his friend hostage. Champion of the Elder Gods, and he could do nothing.
Bi-Han opted to dodge the Enenra, but it kept charging all the same.
"Use the light of Earthrealm's Jinsei if you wish to save your friend." Came a voice in his head.
Bi-Han recognized it as the Elder Goddess Cetrion. The one who had referred to Shinnok as her brother. Bi-Han had many questions he could ask her, but he was hardly in any position to do so, and instead opted to heed her instruction.
Bi-Han dodged the Enenra again, shooting a blast of ice just to momentarily divert its attention. For good measure, he summoned a shadow clone as well. As predicted, it stood no chance against the Enenra, and the creature even began to devour the shadow, taking some sick delight in doing so.
This gave Bi-Han just enough time to concentrate. He closed his eyes and tried to pull forth the light from within, correctly assuming that some of the Jinsei's energy remained within him due to his resurrection. He focused the light, channeling it into his hand which began to glow blue.
When the Enenra finished devouring the shadow clone, it came charging at Bi-Han, roaring and with intent to kill him and extinguish the light.
Bi-Han put his glowing hand forward, and let the demon come to him. When the Enenra touched it, there was a burst of blue light which caused all present to shield their eyes, with thr exception of Bi-Han, who kept his eyes focused on the Enenra.
The creature recoiled and spasmed, burned by the light as it struggled to find a way to keep living. A trail of dark cloud tethered it to Smoke, who sat in a kneeling position with his eyes closed, seemingly dormant. The orange veins of his revenant form began to glow blue and his skin was returning to a lively tone. Ash bounced off his silvery Lin Kuei uniform and was seemingly disintegrated. The Enenra began to recede down, falling back into his body, shriveled and weakened, but alive. Bi-Han lamented not being able to purge the demon entirely.
Finally, Smoke's eyes opened and were glowing blue, before the blue light faded and his eyes and veins returned to normal.
Smoke reached behind him and pulled off his Lin Kuei helmet, letting his long silverish-white hair run freely.
He stood up, and took a breath.
Tomas Vrbada was alive once more.
The pair of Oni looked on in awe, having never seen such a sight before.
Liu Kang and Kung Lao however had a far different response, both scowling.
Liu Kang screamed in rage. "ANOTHER BETRAYAL! Can I trust no one but my owwn flesh and blood?!"
Smoke faced Liu Kang. Though he still wore his mask, his eyes conveyed regret for these circumstances.
"Liu Kang, please my friend, let us not partake in any more senseless violence," he pleaded. "I don't wish to fight you. Jade and Kurtis didn't want to fight you either. If I could be saved from the darkness that enveloped me, th surelyen there is hope for you."
Smoke reached out his hand, removing his mask to reveal a friendly smile.
"Don't give up on life."
Liu Kang was fuming. His fist burst into red flame. He raised his fist to throw a punch, when-
"This is a distraction." Pointed out Kung Lao.
The flame extinguished, and Liu Kang turned his gaze to his last loyal friend.
"You want your revenge against Raiden, right?" Kung Lao asked. "We both do. And if we want to achieve it, we can't waste another second on squabbles like this. Jade, Kurtis, him." He pointed to Smoke. "They can all come later. We both know what the real prize is."
"You… you're right," Liu Kang admitted. "We've been wasting our time."
He turned back to Smoke. "Enjoy your new friends, Tomas. I won't forget about this."
Smoke sighed. "At least I tried."
Liu Kang and Kung Lao walked off, leaving Bi-Han to regroup with his allies.
"Smoke, the Enenra-"
"Is still within me," Smoke interrupted. "I know. It seems to be dormant for now. I can handle it."
Bi-Han nodded. "Alright. I trust you."
"Are you and your friends trying to leave this realm or do you have a duty here?" Smoke asked.
"I am Champion of the Elder Gods, that is how I escaped my fate as Noob Saibot," Bi-Han explained. "My duty is to bring stability to this realm. Mostly by way of preventing threats from here getting into the rest of the realms, I suspect. These two Oni have chosen to travel with me."
"If we were leaving I would have suggested meeting up with Jade and Kurtis," said Smoke. "But if you have a mission here, I'm with you, Bi-Han."
Bi-Han nodded. "Thank you, Tomas. And may I ask you something?"
"Of course." Smoke acquiesced.
"What has happened to Kuai Liang since I… disappeared."
"Well isn't that quite the story," Smoke said with a chuckle. "He's not a cyborg anymore, if that's what you're worried about. He was a revenant like me, after we were killed by a woman named Sindel. Kind soul, but Shao Kahn had some manner of sorcery to control her mind. He was restored by Raiden, how I'm not entirely sure. Quan Chi was too embarrassed by the whole ordeal to divulge the details."
"Quan Chi…" Bi-Han clenched his fists. "I will make him pay for all the suffering he has caused to my family. Not to mention my friends…"
"I'm afraid you missed your chance," revealed Smoke. "Scorpion got to him first. Quan Chi was the one really behind what happened to his family, and he was as merciless to him as he was- well, I don't have to tell you."
"First he kills me for a crime I didn't commit, forcing me to abandon my only brother! And then, he robs me of my revenge!" Bi-Han yelled. "When I am finished here, I will pay him a visit."
"Easy there, Bi-Han," Smoke cautioned. He'd seen and experienced more than enough blinding rage, and didn't want it overtaking his old friend. "I'm sure you'll get your chance. Let's just focus on what's ahead of us."
Bi-Han sighed. "You're right, Tomas."
"So is this guy coming with us now?" Drahmin asked.
"You'd be correct, Oni," Smoke answered. "I assure you that I won't be any hindrance."
"Wasn't worried, just curious," Drahmin clarified. "By the way, I'm Drahmin. Big guy is Moloch."
Drahmin put out his rotting hand to offer a handshake, but after several moments of awkward silence from Smoke, he lowered it.
"Yeah," the Oni Tormentor said nonchalantly. "I get that a lot."
"Are we going back after the big red guy and goat-face now?" Moloch asked.
"Yes Moloch," confirmed Bi-Han. "Let us resume the hunt."
"Big red… did you by chance encounter the demon known as Belokk?" Smoke asked.
"I believe that was his name, yes," Bi-Han answered. "Why?"
"He's dangerous," Smoke explained. "If you've faced him you already know that, but I should warn you that Belokk is a creature of grand ambition. He seeks to raise an army, and brought together demon hordes to attack us while I was still a revenant on numerous occasions. We fought him directly fewer times, but he proved to be formidable in each battle. The demon… the Enenra… knew more about him than I do. But I'm afraid that I can't seem to recall it's knowledge."
"That may be for the best," suggested Bi-Han. "It means the Enenra remains dormant. As for Belokk, he had no army when we encountered him-"
"Just a few friends," Moloch interrupted. "They weren't nice either. Good fighters though."
"Yes, what he said," Bi-Han confirmed, mildly perturbed. "One ally of Belokk's that particularly worries me is the goat-headed creature Moloch mentioned."
"Scrawny bastard, but he knew his magic tricks." Drahmin recounted.
"If I recall, the creature's name was Baphomet," Bi-Han continued. "I sensed a strange aura from it. Far unlike any demon I've encountered, and not like Shinnok either. It was powerful. I suspect that this unique demon combined with Belokk's designs of conquest are in fact the threat that the Elder Gods intended for me to deal with."
"Then we should make haste before they can cause more trouble," Smoke concluded. "Hope you boys are up for a rematch."
"I'm starting to like this guy." Drahmin said to Moloch, who nodded in agreement.
Unfortunately for the small group, their quarry was already quite far away from their current position.
Baphomet had stopped only briefly, in order to recruit the wraith known as Ruutuu to their cause. Given the same manner of strange visions as Siann, Mika, and Sora had received, Ruutuu was far more enticed by the enigmatic "Master of Sin", and agreed to join the small group of demons.
Baphomet then transported them all to a location seemingly in the middle of the wastelands of the Netherrealm. They found themselves standing near some kind of odd shrine, a strange shape of glass that appeared to glow blue, accompanied by a tile floor that stood out distinctly from the hellrock. Unbeknownst to Baphomet's allies, this shrine had once contained the Netherrealm Kamidogu. It had been knocked loose by a battle between Ashrah and Ermac many years ago, and collected by Shujinko. The only lingering evidence of this now was a gap in the glass structure, and a soul stone being visible in the distance.
They all took note of the strange structure, but only Sora decided to comment on it.
"What is this thing?" She asked.
"Long before your time, my child, my fellow Elder Demons and I were the guardians of this place," Baphomet explained. "Shinnok foolishly left it unguarded and now that which we protected has been taken. Alas, all that is in the past now, my child. For our current purposes, simply think of this as a meeting spot."
"For your 'old friends'?" Siann asked.
"Oh yes," Baphomet confirmed. "We have been good friends ever since the first time I bribed them."
"Bribed them to do what?" Mija questioned.
"To enter there." Baphomet answered, pointing to a massive gate in the distance with large stone walls to either side of it.
The three former Brotherhood of Shadow members quickly recognized the gate, but before they could say anything on the matter, the previously silent Belokk spoke up in his booming voice:
"We have approaching," Belokk announced. "Are these your 'friends' Baphomet?"
"They are indeed," Baphomet confirmed. "Welcome, welcome friends!"
The approaching were three humanoid demons. They somewhat reminded Siann, Mika, and Sora, of their true forms, a fact they were not keen on acknowledging. Two carried swords and one a large spear. Most uniquely, they were all donned in what appeared to be a demonic approximation of samurai armor. The uniforms of the guards responsible for policing the Netherrealm city of Nekros.
Baphomet's plan was becoming clearer.
One demon approached Baphomet and crossed their arms.
"Look," said the demon guard. "You're gonna have to pay us a lot extra if you expect us to get your friends here in and out of the city to."
"These three look like Brotherhood," the second pointed out, motioning to the demonesses. "They couldn't be too hard to sneak in."
The big problem here is Belokk," clarified the third. "The sorcerers know about him. He and those revenant guys aren't allowed to enter under any circumstances."
"Your masters fear any threat to their very small amount of power," Belokk surmised. "Unfortunate for them. This city will be the first stage in our proper conquest of the Netherrealm."
"You want to conquer Nekros?" Siann asked. "This city was founded by Lord Shinnok himself."
"Then seizing dominion of it will be all the more satisfying." Belokk concluded.
"I think she was more pointing towards the fact that it'll be well defended." Sora argued.
"Against mere Oni and zombies, yes," Belokk acknowledged. "Against that demon with a holy sword and those dead puppets without strings, perhaps. But not against us."
"Woah woah woah, nobody told us nothing about conquering Nekros," spoke up one of the demon guards. "We only let people in, not help with insurrections."
"Reclaiming this city for the Netherrealm's rightful ruler is not insurrection." Belokk argued.
"Belokk, please, allow me," requested Baphomet, before turning his attention back to the guards. "You will not be aiding us in our conquest of Nekros. All you are required to do is open the gate."
"That's it?" A guard asked.
Baphomet nodded. "I assure you, you will be rewarded handsomely for this."
"I like the sound of that." Another guard replied.
The third seemed more on the fence, but eventually reached their decision.
"Alright, fine." He relented.
"Excellent." Said Baphomet.
And so the group made their way to the gates of Nekros. The demon guards held true to the deal, signalling for their fellows to open the gate.
As the massive doors slowly opened, Baphomet remained focused on the guard towers to either side of them.
"Ruutuu, could you be so kind as to ensure that no one closes this gate?" The Elder Demon requested.
The wraith silently nodded, hovering up to the guard towers and forming a scythe out of darkness. He slashed through one guard, and then reshaped the scythe into a spear and threw it, impaling the guard on the opposite tower.
The three bribed guards were clearly made uneasy by this.
One turned to Baphomet. "Why don't you just hurry up and pay us so we can get out of here?"
"Very well…" Baphomet responded.
The Elder Demon raised his arms out, one hand above the other, and shot out a fireball shaped like a goat skull which blasted right through the demon guard.
The other two were shocked and attempted to retaliate, but Baphomet killed them just as easily with two more of these unique fireballs.
"Belokk, go indulge your more primal instincts," Baphomet encouraged. "Tear this city apart until its inhabitants surrender… or are burnt to cinders."
Belokk nodded, lighting both arms aflame and charging into the city, destroying every3 and everyone unfortunate enough to get in his path.
"The Nekros Guard is practically a small army," pointed out Siann. "If your plan is to rely on Belokk alone, this isn't going to be much of a conquest."
"May I partake in the chaos as well?" Ruutuu requested.
"You may," Baphomet allowed, and soon enough the dark spirit joined Belokk in rampaging. "As for your concern, Siann, what you see before you is not the only forces at my disposal. Behold."
Baphomet's eyes began to glow a sickly green, and corpses began to rise from the ground in droves, marching towards Nekros at his command.
Zombies. The lowest form of life in the Netherrealm. No souls, no will, only mindless engines of destruction. One of the primary functions of the Nekros Guard was to keep these creatures at bay.
And now, the very same creatures were overwhelming them. Hardly the army that Belokk would have preferred to lead into battle, but for this conquest, they would suffice.
"S-So… where do we fit into the plan?" Mika asked, unnerved by the zombies.
"Does your Brotherhood have any holdings in this city?" Baphomet asked. "When last I visited, I believe I saw a stronghold."
"Yes, the Brotherhood of Shadow holds a stronghold here," Siann confirmed. "Why?"
"Do you want us to take care of them for you?" Sora asked.
Siann scoffed. "They have done nothing but faithfully serve Lord Shinnok, how can you say that?"
"Siann, Shinnok is dead," Sora pointed out. "The Brotherhood is gone. It's time to start getting with the future."
Siann crossed her arms. "I could execute you for treason."
"Treason against a clan that no longer exists." Sora countered.
"You've put our mission in such eloquent terms, Sora," Baphomet complimented. "Perhaps there is a compromise for this debate. If the three of you can convince your fellows to join us, there will be no need to wipe them out."
"Fine," Siann relented. "But it won't be easy."
"Claiming dominion over a realm is never 'easy'," Baphomet argued. "I thought serving that usurper Shinnok would have taught you that at least."
"Let's just go." Siann said frustratedly.
As always, Mika and Sora follo behind her. They entered Nekros, trying to ignore the zombies but being unable to stop themselves from sparing glances at the abundant carnage. The guards were overwhelmed and even the sorcerers of the city were not faring much better, especially with Belokk and Ruutuu leading the charge.
Infiltrating the Brotherhood of Shadow stronghold in Nekros was easy. The demonesses used the very forms of alternative entrances they usually attempted to counter when operating on the Brotherhood's behalf.
But as Sora had said, the Brotherhood was gone. A fact that Siann was still coming to terms with.
The remaining Brotherhood members who maintained the stronghold had all huddled into the center room. These were warriors of the cult, dressed in black attire somewhat reminiscent of Noob Saibot. Siann, Mika, and Sora had been assassins of the cult, as Sareena, Kia, and Jataaka had formerly been. They were no masks and their uniforms were accented with red. The difference was minimal, but sufficiently distinguishing.
The three assassins jumped down from the rafters, surprising their comrades until they quickly recognized their uniforms and the cult's insignia.
"Oh, praise Lord Shinnok!" One cultist exclaimed with relief. "We thought we were the only ones left!"
"You must help us," said another. "We are protecting the leaders of this city from the invaders."
The cultist motioned to three individuals in robes resembling a red variant of those worn by the Shadow Priests in Outworld. Two men and a woman. One man had his hood raised, the other had it lowered, wore armor on his chest and shoulder, and carried a scepter, and the woman had milky white eyes lacking in pupils. All three were sorcerers.
"Lords," Siann said respectfully, bowing to the three. "I regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control… we did not come here on behalf of the Brotherhood of Shadow."
"What do you mean?" Asked the man in armor.
"I suspect treachery." Added the hooded sorcerer.
"Hold on," requested the white-eyed woman. "I wish to hear what they have to say."
"We can make this attack stop," offered Sora. "But you must surrender Nekros to us and our associates. In return-"
"You would ask us to surrender?" Questioned the armored lord. "What madness is this!"
"It's called desperation," came a female voice familiar to the three assassins. Irritatingly so. "Everybody pretends like they know what to do with Shinnok gone, but they don't have a clue."
The woman in question stepped out from the crowd of cultists, bearing a Brotherhood assassin uniform. She wore a devious smirk.
"Cilene…" Siann says irritatedly. "What are you doing here?"
"Surviving," Cilene answered casually. "Managed to slip away when Raiden brought the house down. Came here because I thought it was safe, and that this stronghold was too small for lightning-head to notice it."
She turned back to the other cultists. "No offense, guys."
"If you were there you know the threats the Netherrealm faces," Sora reasoned. "We are all vulnerable without Shinnok. And nobody in this hellscape likes being vulnerable. I've seen it. But whether we like it or not, Shinnok and the Brotherhood are gone and the only way we can protect ourselves is with a unified front."
"And how is a brazen attack 'unified''?" Asked the female lord.
"Why do you think we're asking you to surrender?" Sora asked back.
"Those Earthrealmers have taken so many away from us," Mika surprisingly chimed in. "Including Lord Shinnok and… and Quan Chi. We have one chance to claim our vengeance. And it's now."
"Thank you Mika," Sora said graciously. "If we come together, we won't have to fear devastating attacks like that again."
"And what do you think, Siann?" Asked Cilene.
"What do you mean?" Siann asked, only to be met with a laugh.
"Sora's smart, she can do a career change," Cilene complimented. "And Mika… she can convince herself she'll get even with Earthrealm for her not-boyfriend. But you…"
"What about me?" Siann demanded.
"You've always been little Ms. Follow the Leader, for the Brotherhood, do not question or you die, and all that nonsense," Cilene pointed out. "The Brotherhood being gone must be killing you inside. That's why I decided I'm not gonna bother with a life's purpose. You always get disappointed eventually."
Siann began walking towards Cilene with violent intent before Sora held her back.
"You're the one who didn't want to commit 'treason', remember?" She asked.
Siann huffed but relented.
"So," Sora continued. "We're giving you all a chance here. To be part of the future, instead of stuck in the past."
"I think this is the most I've ever heard you talk, Sora." joked Cilene.
"You tell us that the path to progress is surrender?" Asked the hooded lord. "How do you expect us to make progress like that?"
"They've obviously been brainwashed somehow," assumed the armored lord. "Nekros will not fall to such trickery!"
"Assuming it is trickery at all, and not a diversion." suggested the female lord.
Suddenly, the entire stronghold shook.
"That sounds like Belokk doing what he does best…" noted Mika.
"They're in league with Bel-"
Before the armored lord could finish his sentence, Sora slashed his throat with her Demon Fang sword. It had happened so quickly that the cultists intended to guard the lords had been unable to prevent it. In their shock, and for some, their contemplation of her proposal, they were also unable to prevent what happened next.
Sora quickly and mercilessly dispatched the other two lords. The hooded one received a purple fireball through the chest, and the last of the lords, the only woman among the three, did attempt to cast a spell, but was impaled on Sora's blade before she could finish.
Her statement made, Sora lowered her bloody weapon and turned her attention to the other inhabitants of the stronghold.
"So, anyone else feel like clinging onto Shinnok's dead dream and their own stubborn pride?"
However fiercely loyal these cultists may have been when the Brotherhood of Shadow was alive, they saw the point, and surrendered to Nekros's new rulers.
Cilene in particular explained her decision to the three, although they hadn't asked:
"Basic rule of survival, you go with the people who offer an option that isn't death or imprisonment. Besides, I'm curious to see where this all goes."
Without the lords to insist on Nekros's independence, the people of the city were quick to offer their surrender simply to put an end to the onslaught. Even still, Baphomet kept the presence of his zombies in the event that anyone became unruly.
"Well done, my allies," he complimented. "Well done. The first step in reclaiming the Netherrealm for its true master. But alas, not the last."
Baphomet began walking through the city, his mind clearly focused on finding something. All the while, people of Nekros stared at the oddity that was the Elder Demon. He and his entourage, who followed to see what he was heading towards, were their new rulers.
The whole situation was sudden, and what would happen as a result was a mystery to the city's residents.
Eventually, Baphomet reached roughly the center of Nekros, and had found what he was looking for.
"A portal?" Siann questioned.
Indeed, there was a rusted circular frame surrounding a mystical portal which glowed green. The portal was like a strange jewel amongst the darkly colored surroundings of the city and the Netherrealm as a whole.
None in the city knew why the portal was there. An observant few knew what it had been used for. This was the same portal that Shujinko had used to enter the Netherrealm, relatively early into his quest for the Kamidogu. It had remained activated all this time, should the 'Champion of the Elder Gods' ever need to return to this dark place.
"Indeed," Baphomet finally answered after several moments of simply staring at the portal. "The prison which holds our master is not within the Netherrealm. Not anymore. We must venture beyond if we are to liberate the Master of Sin. And this portal is our way to accomplish that."
"Where does it lead?" Mika asked.
"Only one way to find out…" Predicted Sora.
Baphomet nodded in agreement. He then turned to his other allies.
"Belokk old friend, would you mind remaining here? We need someone to keep an eye on Nekros, enforce our master's will. In addition, a general of your talents would be extremely valuable in raising an army for the Lord of Hell's return, especially since there has been a lack of interference from the 'revenants' as of late."
Belokk nodded. "I will do what I must to further our master's goal and rightful dominion over this realm."
"Very good," said Baphomet. "And Ruutuu, remain here with Belokk. A wraith like yourself is powerful in this realm, useful for upholding our master's will. And conspicuous in any other..."
Ruutuu crossed his arms. "So long as when we are finished, I am returned to Earthrealm so as to enact my retribution upon the Matoka tribe."
"You will get your vengeance," Baphomet assured, before turning to the three assassins. "Now then, let us depart."
"Wait." Requested Cilene as she approached the group.
"I want to come with you." she explained.
"To prove your loyalty, citizen of Nekros?" Baphomet asked.
Cilene shrugged. "Just to see where thisi is all going. Curiosity: my one flaw."
Siann, Mika, and Sora rolled their eyes.
"Do you all practice synchronizing that?" Cilene asked jokingly.
"I guess some backup couldn't hurt since we're not bringing the big guy and the wraith." Sora relented.
"Then it is decided," concluded Baphomet. "Come, let us depart."
"If you go into that portal, you will die," warned one of the demon guards of the city. "None who have entered it have ever returned."
"Then it pleases us to be the first." Baphomet decided.
The three, now four, assassins were more worried about the warning, but nonetheless followed the Elder Demon through the glowing portal.
Belokk meanwhile inspected one of the guards. Namely, their armor.
"That bastard Shinnok," he complained. "Stole the uniforms of our master's soldiers."
On the other side of the portal, Baphomet and the assassins stepped out into a place unlike any other.
The portal now glowed red, and was surrounded by a stone frame. There were five other portal frames standing in a row alongside it. To the right of the Netherrealm portal, one which glowed green. To the left, a succession of yellow, purple, and blue. The last portal frame remained unactivated, as if the realm it led to was inaccessible.
In the middle of the stone structure was an altar. There were indentations seemingly intended to hold objects, but none were there.
The objects in question were the Kamidogu, five of which were now held by the White Lotus Society, and one with the followers of Onaga. The seventh item, for which the circular crevice in the altar was intended, remained with Raiden at all times.
The portals respectively led to Earthrealm, the Netherrealm, Chaosrealm, Outworld, and Orderrealm. The sixth would have led to Edenia, were it still free.
None of this was known to the former Brotherhood assassins. Even Baphomet, with his strange wisdom, knew only part of the story.
Inarguably, the portals and the altar were not even the strangest thing about this place. No, that title belonged to the seeming storm of clouds which surrounded the structure. The entire thing floated within some otherworldly state of being, part of no realm.
"W-Where are we?" Mika asked, finally breaking the silence.
"This place is known as the Nexus," Baphomet answered. "The artifact we Elder Demons were tasked to guard held some connection to this place. The rest, I am uncertain."
"Where do we go from here?" Siann asked.
Baphomet stepped into roughly the center of the Nexus, in front of the altar and facing the portals. He reached out with his strange senses, searching for the prison of his master.
The four assassins looked on in abject confusion.
Until there was a sudden flash of golden light, and the Champion of the Elder Gods, Monster, began to approach them.
"You are trespassing upon the territory of the Elder Gods," Monster announced. "Leave now, or suffer the consequences."
Who's suffering?" Cilene asked. "Us? Or you?"
The slash from Draxxon's strange ancient blade remained on Monster's chest, not yet having been healed. A remnant of his previous battle. For the sake of the realms, he had returned close enough to full strength to engage in this one.
Baphomet broke his concentration and acknowledged the champion.
"I'm afraid that your interference simply will not do," Baphomet said. "We will have to deal with you."
Monster summoned a sword and prepared for battle.
Baphomet chuckled. He fired one of his goat-skull fireballs, which Monster teleported out of the path of.
Only for the projectile to loop back around seemingly of its own will and blast him in the back.
Monster was sent stumbling forward, right into a high kick to the jaw bone courtesy of Sora.
"You're getting in our way." The assassin said plainly.
Monster's response was a swing of his sword that was narrowly blocked thanks to Siann.
"Thanks." Said Sora.
Siann didn't respond as she pressed her blade against Monster's, sparks spewing out as a result. She remained conflicted over this whole endeavor, but she'd gone this far, and beneath her cold demeanor considered Sora and Mika to be her friends, so she would fight on nonetheless.
She successfully pushed Monster back and began dueling with him. The two seemed evenly matched in this regard until Baphomet teleported behind the champion. Placing his hand on Monster's shoulder, he began to burn him with dark flames.
"I can see why your masters sent that former wraith to our realm instead of you," Baphomet mocked. "You can't handle such power, can you?"
Monster didn't respond, both due to the pain, and the fact that it was not his nature to entertain such insults. He had no ego to bruise.
Back in the Netherrealm, Bi-Han and his allies continued their trek in search of their enemies.
When a portal suddenly appeared before them.
"Champion Bi-Han," came the voices of the Elder Gods. "You are needed at the Nexus. Champion Monster is being overwhelmed by forces of the realm you are currently in. They must be defeated. You may bring your newfound allies with you, but make haste."
"Seems like duty calls when you least expect it." Observed Smoke.
"Indeed," agreed Bi-Han. He turned to Moloch and Drahmin. "Do the both of you wish to accompany me? I know not of this Nexus, but I believe it is not of the Netherrealm. It was never my intention to take you from your home."
"Don't sweat it," assured Drahmin. "We never liked this place anyway."
"It gets kinda boring after a few millennia." added Moloch.
Herald swooped down and perched on Moloch's shoulder, evidently prepared to join them as well.
"Thank you." said Bi-Han, before the four entered the portal.
They appeared in the Nexus to find Monster still in Baphomet's clutches. The four Brotherhood assassins were clearly caught off guard by their arrival, but prepared to fight regardless.
Baphomet released Monster, who fell to his hands and knees aa he tried to recover from the unique pain that the powers of the Netherrealm could deliver him.
He turned his glowing eyes back to the portal and focused, seemingly oblivious to the new arrivals.
"Uhhh…. Baphomet?" Asked Mika. "A little help here?"
"Strange… mere moments ago it was in Earthrealm… he must be moving around…" Baphomet said to himself.
"Hello?" Asked Cilene, before turning to her fellow assassins. "I think your friend here is out of it."
"Outworld!" Exclaimed Baphomet. "Master's prison is in Outworld! The portal which glows violet! Make haste! Do not waste time on these fools!"
"Now that's just rude." said Smoke.
"Don't let them escape!" Shouted Bi-Han.
Moloch and Drahmin charged in, but the assassins were all much faster than them. They dodged the Onis' punches and beelined for the portal to Outworld. Smoke transformed into vaporous form and moved with incredible speed to intercept them, but once he regained physical form, Siann grabbed him and threw him aside. Seconds later, three of the assassins have gone through the portal.
Mika had lagged behind, and Bi-Han made an effort to stop her by summoning a portal beneath her and reaching up through it to grab her leg. She kicked him in the face with her free leg and escaped all the same.
That left Baphomet, who the group quickly surrounded.
"Nowhere to run, demon." pointed out Smoke.
"Ah, I see Shinnok's hold over his puppets is not as ironclad as it is said to be," observed Baphomet. "Another of his failings."
"You are not dealing with Shinnok," said Bi-Han. "You are dealing with us."
"You say that as if you are in any trouble," mocked Baphomet. "Do you not recall our last encounter?"
Baphomet's eyes began glowing purple.
"Get back!" Bi-Han commanded, but there wasn't exactly a lot of room to maneuver within the Nexus.
Like in their previous battle, Baphomet unleashed a wave of dark magic energy that threw back all in his path.
His opponents sufficiently weakened, Baphomet walked into the portal.
Once he was gone, the four started getting to their feet.
"Dammit…" said Bi-Han.
"I hate it when he does that." complained Moloch.
"I hate him in general," added Drahmin. "And weren't there only three Brotherhood gals with him last time? They must have bigger friend circles than we thought."
"I'm sure we'll… figure it out…" said Smoke, before groaning. "That was… new."
"Not for us," Bi-Han told him. "But that doesn't matter at the moment."
He walked over to Monster and helped his fellow champion to his feet.
"Wasn't sure when next I'd run into you again," commented Bi-Han. "They seem to have given you quite the beating."
"My battles have taken a toll." Monster responded.
Bi-Han didn't know why he'd expected a thanks.
He helped Monster over to his other three allies, intending to plan their next move.
"So what now?" Asked Moloch.
"I say we go wherever they did and track em' down," Suggested Drahmin. "Try to get the drop on goat-face and then smash his head in!"
"I think we need some help." said Smoke.
Bi-Han looked at him and immediately knew what he meant.
"One of these portals has to lead back to Earthrealm," Smoke continued. "And we both know there's no one better to ask for help than Kuai."
Bi-Han nodded. He could hardly resist the chance to see his brother again. "You're right."
Bi-Han shifted his gaze to his fellow champion.
"Monster," he said. "Do you know which of these portals leads to Earthrealm?"
"Earthrealm is not our objective." Monster protested.
"Even after I save your hide, still as answerless as ever." Bi-Han complained.
"Monster speaks the truth."
"Elder Gods…" Bi-Han quickly discerned.
"The enemies you faced risk awakening a power that could threaten the realms entirely. They must be dealt with before this can come to pass. You must pursue them."
"You have another champion, why can't he follow them while I procure aid from Earthrealm?" Bi-Han asked.
"Monster is too heavily injured from his battles with the followers of the Dragon King and the Master of Sin. He must be allowed time to heal."
There was a blinding flash of golden light, and Monster disappeared. Likely for the very purpose the Elder Gods had detailed.
"Besides…"
"Besides what?" Bi-Han demanded.
"Your desire to return to Earthrealm is not motivated by the mission at hand. You would put your task aside for your personal desire."
"And so what if I do?!" Bi-Han argued. "Is it wrong for me to want to see my brother!? You promised me my freedom!"
"Freedom from our directive was promised upon completion of your mission. The mission remains incomplete. Follow your enemies to Outworld. Thwart their efforts. Return to the Netherrealm to ensure the existence of no further lingering threats. Then you may return to Earthrealm."
Bi-Han clenched his fists and felt a wave of anger wash over him. But alas, he relented.
"Fine." He spat in the direction of the disembodied voices.
"Wait!" shouted Smoke. "I know that you need Bi-Han, but what if I were to return to Earthrealm?"
"Your actions do not affect the core mission that Champion Bi-Han must complete. You may return to Earthrealm of your own free will."
"May I ask which of these portals I'm supposed to use?" Smoke requested, gesturing to the multiple portals within the Nexus.
"The portal which glows emerald shall take you to Earthrealm."
Smoke bowed in the direction the Elder Gods' disembodied voices were coming from. "Thank you."
He turned back to Bi-Han. "It's alright. You complete your mission. I'll find Kuai. I promise."
Bi-Han nodded. "Thank you, Tomas. Good luck."
Smoke smiled. "Of course."
He then turned to the two Oni.
"You boys look after Bi-Han, alright?" He instructed. "I don't know how he got you two to help him, but I'm glad he did."
"Aww, you leavin'?" Asked Moloch.
"Fraid' so big guy," Smoke confirmed. "Don't worry though, I'm sure we'll cross paths again."
"See ya round long-hair." said Drahmin.
Smoke looked at Bi-Han one final time. The two Lin Kuei locked arms, and then went their separate ways. Smoke to Earthrealm, and Bi-Han to Outworld.
They would not be the only Earthrealmers tied to the Netherrealm making a trip however.
Their trek complete, Liu Kang and Kung Lao had returned to the temple they begrudgingly called home. It felt much emptier now that they were the last two revenants that inhabited it.
Liu Kang clearly had some kind of specific goal that Kung Lao was unaware of once he entered the temple. He followed his cousin as Liu Kang determinedly walked right until reaching a small room overlooking a balcony on which he and Kitana had watched what passed for sunsets in this hellhole.
Liu Kang zeroed in on a cabinet within the room. He slammed it open and out fell…
The decapitated head of Shinnok which Raiden had delivered to him when he first became "Emperor of the Netherrealm."
Kung Lao was, needless to say, confused.
Liu Kang slammed the head down onto a nearby table.
And the head smirked at him.
"My successor," Shinnok said mockingly. "One of them anyway. Where is your co-ruler?"
"It's not Kitana that you need to concern yourself with." Liu Kang responded frustratedly.
"Some kind of falling out, then?" Shinnok surmised.
Liu Kang slammed his fist onto the table. "Take us to Outworld!"
"You would dare to make demands of me, revenant?!" Shinnok asked. "I am your master! I am the reason you stand here at this very moment!"
"You are not the master of anything anymore," Liu Kang argued back. "Not this realm, and not me."
Liu Kang smirked back at the Fallen Elder God's head.
"Raiden made sure of that, didn't he?"
Shinnok sneered.
"Seeing as I am in no position to punish you for insolence," Shinnok finally admitted. "May I ask why you would venture to Outworld rather than your native Earthrealm?"
"Because Raiden will be there," Liu Kang explained. "He intends to start a war with Outworld. I believe he intends to conquer it."
"How ironic," Shinnok said. Both he and Liu Kang wore arrogant smirks now. "How the mighty have fallen…"
"My thoughts exactly." Liu Kang agreed.
Shinnok chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Liu Kang asked.
"Even now," Shinnok replied. "In spite of your claims, in spite of my predicament. You serve my will."
Liu Kang gathered what he meant, slamming both hands onto the table and glaring directly into the Dark God's eyes.
"Listen here bastard," Liu Kang ordered. "I am not taking my vengeance upon Raiden for your sake. I know you gods tend to be arrogant to the last, but do not forget which one of us still has a fist."
"Fine..." Shinnok relented. "Do I at least get to watch you make Raiden suffer?"
"If I'm feeling generous." Liu Kang answered.
Shinnok began to concentrate. In spite of his current state, he still had just enough power to summon a swirling orange portal, which seemed to flicker with instability without the Dark gods full power.
Liu Kang grabbed Shinnok's head and carried it as he marched through the portal.
Kung Lao fell into step alongside him, sparing a concerned glance at his cousin.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked.
Liu Kang nodded as they entered the portal.
"I've never been more sure of anything in this hellish un-life."