Shang Tsung had taken Erron Black and Garrett Bennett, his two closest allies, to his palace in Outworld that lived north to the Highlands where the land became more leveled, causing the palace to remain shrouded behind the imposing land of the Shadow Priests. The sight of the palace from atop the Highlands however, was a sight to behold. The palace was enormous despite it being a structure that had intentionally been built by Naknadan slaves to remain hidden behind it's elevated surroundings. The outside walls were in pristine condition with their glossy red and complimentary gold accents beaming in the light from the sunrise that made the picture even more beautiful, a stark contrast to Shang Tsung's actions and the dungeons he even more secretly kept hidden beneath the deceivingly pretty palace.
This wasn't a new sight for Erron and Garrett to behold as they had been to Tsung's palace countless times and even had rooms in the living quarters area on the second layer of the palace for whenever they weren't travelling or on a dangerous mission for the sorcerer. Despite this and all the years the pair had been around and all the things they had become sick and tired of, seeing the incredible palace never got old.
The trio finally arrived at the main entrance that was under watch by Masked Guards who were the same warriors who also guarded Shang Tsung's island. They served Shang Tsung personally, much like Erron and Garrett, rather than most whose loyalties lay with Shao Kahn whether service for the emperor was out of fear or not. The guards bowed as their master approached them before clearing the entrance way for the sorcerer and his companions.
"Where've these lads been all this time?" Garrett questioned as they walked down the spacious indoor courtyard like hallway.
"Right here," Tsung replied plainly. "I wouldn't dare place my only loyal group in danger for Shao Kahn."
"What about the Shadow Priests?" Garrett pressed on.
"While I did command them that was only as a result of Shao Kahn's demands," Tsung clarified. "They worship Shao and amongst the Priests is an inner council of sorcerers with the power and wisdom that is alike my own."
"Would that Talon lady… or man… happen to be part of that council?" Erron himself began asking the sorcerer questions. He and Garrett were like two curious and inquiring children asking their father about something.
"No," Shang deconfirmed. "Although Talon does seem to take the leadership role of the Priests on the battlefield, they aren't in the council. The council never get physical and instead prefer to enact their sorcery from within the tower we just passed by back in the Highlands."
"So they're cowards." Erron concluded.
Tsung didn't give a verbal response to Erron Black's remark, but a smug grin stretched across his face after hearing this. Shang Tsung had never been a fan of the Shadow Priests so hearing this was amusing to say the least. His hatred was mainly as a result of the cult consisting of sorcerers that rivalled his own skills of sorcery.
They kept walking with Shang Tsung leading his two allies to the palace's armoury which was unusually packed with various firearms from Earthrealm.
"How the hell did you get all these guns?" Erron immediately noticed the strange sight. "Want practice after your shit performance at the coliseum?"
"I had them retrieved from the Black Dragon clan after I threatened them to give their weapons to Outworld's armies during the recent invasion," Shang detailed as he held an assault rifle in his arms, admiring the relatively unfamiliar weapon. "It would've been foolish of me not to keep some for my protectors."
"Like any of these folk but me know how to fire a gun." Black remarked which showed his lack of approval for this idea which mainly came from bitterness after the coliseum situation where Shang Tsung attempted to impersonate Erron Black and thus his moveset to stand a better chance at eliminating Kung Lao from the tournament.
"That leads me to my next task for you," Tsung continued. "I wish for you to train the guards. Much like how Garrett over here trained them to be skilled in melee combat."
"You're welcome," Garrett commented, which was perfect timing as a guard familiar to the knight approached the group. "Speaking of which, if it isn't my finest pupil!"
"Sir Bennett," the guard greeted. "And Master Tsung. It is good to see your return."
"Why thank you, Hachiman," the sorcerer replied as he put the gun he was observing down on one of the many neatly organized weapon racks. "I can always trust you to keep these guards in order."
"As commander of the Masked Guards it is my duty to keep the men and women amongst us in check and in good spirits while of course wishing to support your vision, master." Hachiman recited his role to the sorcerer while bowing to him, a courtesy all guards showed.
Hachiman had been a close ally to Shang Tsung for a long time, not as long as Erron and especially not as long as Garrett, but still long. He was a well known and respected Earthrealm archer long ago before he first encountered Shang Tsung. When he did meet the sorcerer, his cause for archery soon changed. Previously only an archer in sport and for hunting wildlife, Hachiman soon became a hunter of various enemies to the sorcerer, usually from other realms or from the realm he used to call home.
Much like Erron and Garrett, Hachiman and Shang Tsung had come to an understanding which soon led to the archer becoming the sorcerer's second Earthrealm ally that he would grant his slow aging spell to. Unlike his Earthrealm partners however, Hachiman was yet to grow tired of serving Shang Tsung and kept in much better spirits than the other two which led to positive traits such as being well mannered. This was likely to be placed on the fact that Hachiman was Tsung's latest acquisition from the Earthrealm side, meaning he was the less experienced but still had just over one hundred years to be more than well versed in combat. Having been skilled with a bow since his teenage years and later trained by Garrett in the art of various melee weaponry, with Hachiman gravitating towards utilizing a pike.
Hachiman was masked like the rest of the Masked Guards but his appearance was still entirely different. He firstly wore a set of armour loaned to him by Garrett which was unlike the other guards and their beige and black gi's. Though he personally trained all the current Masked Guards, not all wielded a pike or a spear. Some had been trained to wield swords or even naginata. This created a diverse range in skills from the guards that was of course very beneficial.
"It is good to see that at least you have manners," Tsung gave his comment of praiseworth to Hachiman, who he was much more fond of than Erron and Garrett in truth. "It's certainly a nice change of pace from these two."
"Oh c'mon," Erron said with a sigh. "We're not that bad."
"You didn't respond to my earlier request," Tsung pointed out. "I'd like confirmation that you shall."
"What if I don't wanna?"
"Perhaps this shall entice you." Tsung gestured for he and Garrett to follow him, which they did, soon being led to two sets of armour on display of mannequins that stood side by side to each other.
One set of armour was a brown familiar to the old and worn out armour that Erron was currently dressed in. It wasn't armour as heavy as what Garrett had still, which was just how Erron wanted it to fit his more on the move skillset due to his use of ranged weapons.
Black sounded a cat whistle as he approached and examined the new suit of armour. "Quite the piece, eh?"
"And it's all yours," Tsung informed him. "If you agree to train the Masked Guards."
"You've got a deal." Black accepted as he already began taking off his old chestplate to replace it with the new piece and later equipping the cuisse and greaves over his trousers that lacked any protection previously.
"So would this belong to me?" Garrett assumed as he approached the other suit which resembled a medieval knight's plate armour which was of course fitting for Garrett, but this was different. The armour gave off a magic glow but why it did so was a mystery to Garrett as of now. The suit was also black and under closer inspection Garrett soon noted that the gear wasn't made of iron.
"Do you like it?" Tsung asked.
"I think so," Garrett sounded unsure. "But… what is it? The material? The magic?"
"This armour is made of carbon," Shang revealed. "All I know is that my blacksmith friend wanted me to provide him this resource for it is ten times stronger than steel. I'm certain you'll find it quite the upgrade."
"I'll take it!" Garrett commented enthusiastically. "So, what about this glowing sorcery?"
"A little touch of my own," Tsung described it. "An enchantment if you will. Consider it an extra layer of protection on top of the new suit."
"Well thank you very much," Garrett said graciously as he slowly began walking back. "I'm going to get changed from this junk that I'm currently wearing and return in a moment."
"Leave and I might take it for myself," Erron joked before turning to Hachiman. "Well, Hachi, looks like you're gonna be gettin' an upgrade to that bow. How's that sound?"
"I'm open to try something new," Hachiman responded as he gave a curious glance back at the weapon racks that were now filled with guns. "Always."
"And that attitude is why you're in a solid position amongst my Masked Guards," Tsung commented. "Start teaching, Black, I must pay that blasted Reiko a visit. He must've arrived at the Drum Canyon by now…"
Shang Tsung was right. He emerged from a portal on a cliff side where he began looking down the canyon where he saw a strong group of Kahn Guard soldiers being led by Reiko, Skull and Raza. The sorcerer shapeshifted into the soul construct known as Ermac so that he could hover down into the canyon without consequence.
"It's one of Emperor Kahn's constructs!" Raza pointed to the sky where the shapeshifted Tsung came down gracefully before them.
"Fool!" The sorcerer insulted as he revealed his identity. "It is just me."
"We're near the village of Makeba," Reiko informed the sorcerer while also clearly being disappointed by the presence of Tsung. "Care to join us in conquering it?"
Tsung laughed at Reiko's choice of wording. "I went from serving a man conquering worlds to a boy conquering villages."
"You show him some respect!" Skull demanded.
"I can handle this, Skull," Reiko assured before beginning an explanation of his plan. "The more territory in Outworld, the closer we are to taking back this realm for ourselves."
"And what are you wearing?" Shang Tsung snickered at the sight of Reiko wearing the remnants of Shao Kahn's helmet as well as a cape made out of one of the few remaining Kahn Guard flags in existence. Mileena had made it a mission to have as many Kahn Guard logos destroyed as possible, a mission which she was succeeding in.
"After I watched the emperor's head roll, I…" Reiko suddenly became choked up, feeling a great deal of sadness upon thinking back on Shao Kahn's execution. "I was given his helmet. I had kept it in my tent but realized that he wouldn't have wanted it just left to catch dust. So now I shall wear it in homage to our great emperor."
"How touching." Tsung commented sarcastically.
"Look ahead, general," Raza instructed. "Makeba is in sight!"
"Excellent," Reiko commented before turning back to see his followers. "Is everybody ready?!"
The soldiers cheered enthusiastically which prompted Reiko to raise Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer up high to signal for them to begin their charge forth at the unsuspecting village of Makeba.
The village of Makeba stood on the mountainside within the otherwise deserted Drum Canyon. It wasn't a large village by any means, but it was large and resourceful enough to be a worthy first target for Reiko.
In mere minutes, the Kahn Guard soldiers had stormed all the pagoda-like structures that stood in the mountainside village. Residing in the pagodas were the villagers of Makeba, who were all threatened to surrender or die. Some defied the orders of the soldiers who soon suffered brutal fates which further prompted more of the villagers to stand down. In a matter of moments the village went from being in peace to being at the verge of losing their home to the remaining followers of the deceased Shao Kahn.
Outside of the pagodas however, there were villagers actually fighting back against the soldiers. Although it was a losing effort, it was still a commendable attempt to fight back. The fighters were those who trained to compete in the village's Drum Arena, a fighting environment where warriors would compete against each other in friendly competition as the intensity of the fights were built up by the drummers in the small audience.
The fighters were doing a surprisingly decent job holding their own against the grunts of the Kahn Guard, but this offense was all about to change as Reiko, Skull and Raza began approaching with the sorcerer Shang Tsung lurking behind them, stealing the souls of the fallen from behind their backs.
Reiko attacked first. He leapt forth with Kahn's Wrath Hammer raised above his head, and smashed the hammer down on the unfortunate victim who stood in horror before the oncoming hammer.
"You wield that hammer surprisingly well." Tsung complimented as he drained the soul from the warrior who Reiko had just crushed.
Reiko didn't reply to the sorcerer and instead continued his advance by spinning the Wrath Hammer around, wiping the head of one poor man who stood in his path of destruction, and soon the hammer was launched all the way to another warrior a distance away.
"How is it you're so capable at using such a heavy weapon anyway?" Shang Tsung asked out of curiosity while taking more souls.
"The Wrath Hammer is now bound to me," Reiko detailed as he summoned the hammer back to his grasp. "As a result it feels lighter to me than it actually is."
"Intriguing." Was the only comment that Shang Tsung could think to give. The sorcerer was pleased to receive this information as in his mind he secretly began contemplating on eventually taking the Wrath Hammer for himself.
Skull and Raza had already advanced far ahead from the brief conversation between Shang Tsung and Reiko. In mere seconds they had already slain the next eight defenders as they made their way down the wooden boardwork pathway which ended at a rounded off cliff edge in what appeared to be a mini arena. The Drum Arena.
Waiting for them at the arena were two large men, each with giant drumsticks in their hands as their only available protection besides their own fists. The two warriors went by the names Konga and Tabla and were twin brothers and champions of the Drum Arena. During tournaments in the arena they would often be the drummers before facing the winner of the fight to contest their championship. They had never had to fight in a situation like this.
Although much larger than Skull and Raza, Konga and Tabla were ill equipped with neither being equipped with armour which conflicted heavily with the heavy Kahn Guard sets of armour that the two attackers were dressed in. On top of that the two soldiers each wielded a sharp longsword that was begging to be stained with the blood of the large foes ahead of them. As champions, Konga and Tabla were meant to be the village protectors. They now realized that neither were all too suitable for the role at all.
"Take a seat, general," Skull offered as he pointed to the empty seats surrounding the Drum Arena. "You too, sorcerer."
"Ready, Skull?" Raza asked as he began pointing his sword at his two targets.
"Always." He responded with a smile behind his metal skull mask.
"You're cowards!" Tabla yelled. "Attacking unarmed villagers! Do you have no honour?!"
"They follow Shao Kahn, brother," Konga pointed to their helmets that blatantly resembled the same features as that helmet which Shao Kahn and now Reiko wore. "What is it that you want from our village?"
"More soldiers." Raza informed.
"More fodder." Skull corrected.
"I thought Shao Kahn died," Tabla commented, still shocked and confused by the unfolding events. "So what do you even want us for?"
"To finish what he started," Reiko spoke from his seat. "Finish them, lads."
"You think attacking us fully clad in armour and wielding weapons makes you powerful?" Konga asked.
"We don't need this to beat you." Skull assured.
"Prove it!" Tabla demanded.
"We have plenty of time to wait before getting all these villagers detained," Reiko stated as he considered allowing Skull and Raza to give the two drummers a fair fight. "If you want to give them the honour of a fight and not a death sentence then feel free to."
"I'll give both." Skull informed as he tossed his sword aside and began removing his armour with Raza shrugging and doing the same.
"Good," Tabla remarked. "At least we'll be able to hurl two pieces of scum over this cliff before falling ourselves."
"Already accepting your death?" Raza asked. "You could surrender and join us."
"I'd rather burn in the Netherrealm than join you madmen!" Tabla declined the offer harshly.
"Then allow me to send you there!" Skull shouted as he swung the first punch right to the face of Tabla.
Konga immediately came to the aid of his brother by using his size advantage over Skull to charge into him and drop him as he ran through like a train. Konga soon began turning around and went to repeat the attack on Raza but they rolled to the side which caused Konga to run over to the cliff edge where he managed to stop just in time before falling but still had lost his balance due to almost falling off the edge of the arena. As he tried regaining balance, Raza quickly ran up to the big fighter and delivered a push kick that sent him collapsing off the cliffedge.
"Konga!" Tabla cried out as his rage turned to Raza "Why?! Outworld was finally at peace! Why do you people want to change that?!"
"How could we just stand by and allow a weakling to undo all of Shao Kahn's work?" Skull shared their perception of things as he and Raza slowly began approaching Tabla.
"His 'work' was all for self gain," Tabla tried explaining though he could tell his efforts to convince them were useless. "How can none of you see that?!"
"You don't understand a thing about making a powerful empire." Raza stated as he and Skull continued circling around their prey.
"Doesn't matter," Skull commented. "It's time for you to join your brother now."
"Not yet." Tabla replied before surprisingly agilely springing forth to Raza where he jumped onto his much smaller body with a tackle before wailing punches until Skull came to his friends aid by bringing a couple punches of his own to the back of Taba's bald head.
Tabla resisted the pain from the blows but still turned around to direct his attention to Skull. Tabla threw a sequence of punches with a few blows to the head and one to the gut to wind his opponent. Being far stronger than both Skull and Raza, Tabla decided to use his strength to grapple Skull and throw him over his head into a recovering Raza. He then grabbed the pair of them with one hand around the neck of the both of them before slamming their faces into the sand.
For kicking his brother off the cliff, Tabla wanted to return the favour to Raza and began dragging him by his legs to the cliffedge. He then picked up the stunned Raza by the legs and dangled him over the cliff. He was about to drop the warrior until he spotted his brother hanging on the cliff for his life.
"Brother?!" Tabla was glad he was alive but wasn't sure for how long.
Konga looked up to see his brother, causing him to slip as he lost focus and was now only holding onto the cliff by one hand. Tabla swung Raza off to the side and quickly reached to help his brother up. Due to the angle of the throw, Raza hadn't been launched far enough and managed to cling onto the edge of the cliff like Konga did. Tabla was too busy helping his brother back up onto the arena.
"Thank you, Tabla," Konga said gratefully. "I… WATCH OUT!"
As Konga went to tell his brother a man suddenly came from behind Tabla and swung their enormous axe through his neck, beheading him with ease. They were surprisingly agile for their size, his presence was immediately noticeable by Konga but he was too quick to stop him from slaying his brother.
The man wielding the axe stood at around seven feet tall with an axe befitting of his stature. He wore the usual armour of a Kahn Guard soldier but what was distinct about him besides his height that made him stand even taller than Konga and the now deceased Tabla was that he wore a black executioner mask covering his entire face. The only name the man went by was simply the Executioner.
"Dammit, Executioner!" Skull yelled. "We were having a fun game going on here!"
"You were losing the game." The Executioner observed.
"We weren't," Raza claimed as he pulled himself up from the cliffside. "But if you seriously wanted to interfere then you could've given a hand when I was dangling off the cliff. Good thing your brother was a terrible thrower."
Konga snapped and tried disarming the Executioner with his bare hands only for his brother's killer to smash the handle of his axe into his face which caused him to collapse to the floor, prompting the Executioner to ready to his axe to behead Konga like he did his brother.
"Wait!" Reiko ordered as he and Shang Tsung remained sitting down and watching the fight. "This man is a strong fighter. We could use him in our ranks."
The Executioner turned to face his general. "Valid reason to spare him."
Konga still was refusing to surrender and shoved the Executioner to the floor from behind, causing Skull and Raza to confront her once again. Skull and Raza used their excellent teamwork abilities to work together against their large foe. The two warriors both punched Konga in the face at the same time before following through with a double knee strike to his torso which caused him to curl forward which continued Skull and Raza's chain attack as they both wrapped their arms around Konga's head and dropping down to the floor which consecutively drove Konga's skull to the ground. Skull then picked up Raza in his arms and threw him into the air, allowing Raza to do a midair knee drop onto Konga's skull which left the drummer unconscious.
"Might want to put some restraints on him," Raza suggested. "He'll give in to our cause eventually. Unless he really is desperate to join his brother."
"Good idea." Skull approved as he carelessly scooped up the severed head of Tabla and began observing it sadistically.
"You want to put that on display in our tent?" Raza joked.
"I have an idea," Reiko commented. "To send Mileena an anonymous but impactful message."
"I like where this is going." Skull remarked.
"You!" Reiko called to a soldier who came approaching them. "What news do you bring?"
"We've gathered around those who have surrendered and agreed to join our cause," the soldier detailed. "In addition to this any who have refused have been killed."
"Have you made sure of no escapees?" Reiko had more questions for the soldier. "It would be a problem if one informed Mileena of this attack."
"Yes, general." They confirmed. "The perimeter has been under heavy watch."
"Fine work, soldier," Reiko praised. "This has been a fine victory for us."
"Where to next, General Reiko?" Raza asked.
"Kollector has requested my prescense in his peoples village," Reiko revealed. "Care to join me on this visit?"
"Most certainly." Raza accepted the offer and Skull gave a nod confirming his own acceptance.
"Then there's just one last thing I need of you, soldier," Reiko stated as he reached his hand forward to Skull, gesturing for the severed head that he was cradling. "I need you to mail this to Mileena."
"D-don't you think that's a bit too… extreme?" the soldier cautiously asked. "And dangerous…"
"Stash it in a crate, go without your armour, say you're a delivery man to any witnesses, and drop the head off at the front doors to the fortress." Reiko gave a list of instructions. "Do it and I'll double your wage."
"Yes, general!" The soldier greed to do so, more enthusiastically now that they were promised something.
"Wait!" Raza commanded. "Can't we just create a portal to the fortress?"
"A protective ward has been placed around the mountain where that fortress stands," Shang Tsung explained. "This means no portals can be summoned in the ward. Hence why we haven't just ambushed the fortress immediately."
"And you know this how?" Skull gave a curious glance to the mysterious sorcerer.
"You seriously think I haven't tested creating a portal to Mileena's own throne room?"
"No worries," Reiko responded surprisingly calmly to this information. "It'll be mine soon."