"This all belongs to me now," Shao Kahn, the long term emperor of Outworld, says as he gazes through a window in one of the rooms of the Edenian palace he is invading with Shang Tsung to his left.
It has to be at least forty stories high, overlooking the entire realm being torn apart by assassins, Tarkatans, and bandits all led by Shao Kahn himself. He has won ten Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row against the Edenians, giving him every right to take control of the entire realm regardless of how wrong it was. Fires haunt the grounds, innocents are slaughtered and the realm will now merge with Outworld.
"Yes emperor. Shall we free the imprisoned down below in the cells?" Shang Tsung insists, an evilish smirk on his face.
Shao Kahn sees no use in turning back at this point.
"No, they shall also be killed as well, unless they are of use to me," his strong words hits the atmosphere like an ice sickle to the ground.
"I see...shall we?" Shao Kahn and the sorcerer walk through the large, but beautifully carved with dragons of gold, wooden door leading through to the hallway.
Shang Tsung opens it as Shao Kahn proceeds down the long, once elegant hall with Shang Tsung following close behind. The floors were once a beautiful red with gold trimmed designs throughout every piece of carpet you could lay eyes on. Now it is stained with blood, and an occasional body here and there. Shao Kahn's minions run through the halls raiding every room and killing everyone they come across, no questions asked.
As the Emperor proceeds down the hall, his minions slow their speed as they dash by him. None dare to tempt the emperor on a deathly day as this. Screams of men and women come from every room and commotion and panic fills the entire palace as if it has become something of a slaughter house. By the time the emperor passes another room, he comes across the same horrid images; bodies on the floor, couches and beds torn, none left even slightly alive. Some bodies loiter throughout the halls, displaying their lifelessness. This pleases him as he devilishly chuckles to himself.
They arrive at the largest door in the wing, the one the current king of Edenia is surely behind. It is an all gold door plated with red dragons and with handles made of ruby, matching the rest of the castle's interior, but standing out the most.
"Now, for why we are really here," says Shang Tsung in a devious voice.
He blasts open the door with a mere energy surge from his hand. Shao Kahn enters, ready to kill whoever he sees. As they knew, the king is present, standing with a rather large blade pointed at the door near his throne, shock and determination both fill his eyes.
To his right is the queen with an infant crying in her arms that is wrapped in a silk blanket. Her face lights up with fear as her eyes land on first Shao Kahn, and then Shang Tsung. She cradles the infant closer to her chest in a protective manner as she stays behind the king, for he is her last hope, and Edenia's.
"Stay away or I will kill you! I will not let you bring harm to my family and swear, I will not let you have this palace!" he practically screams, pointing his sword outward.
The king's nervousness shows only slightly as he threatens them both, though the fear of failure is running through his entire body and mind.
"With what? That?" Shang Tsung mocks, using his foot to kick the sword away as he and Shao Kahn advance closer.
The king places his hands up in surrender as he is forced back onto his throne chair defenseless, leaving Shao Kahn the perfect and certain chance to take his life to claim Edenia for himself. Shao Kahn wastes no time; he raises the king up by the throat, choking him intensely.
The king turns to his wife knowing his life will soon end, and smiles gracefully, the only thing he could do. Shao Kahn snaps his neck and throws him to the side of the throne, leaving him in a pool of blood on the cold, hard floor. The queen screams in horror, warm tears streaming down her face as she backed into a corner helpless, holding her precious child close to her. Shao Kahn and Shang Tsung both turn to her. Shang Tsung walks up to her, pulling her up by her long, luscious, black and brown hair.
"What ever shall we do with you," he says devilishly over her cries.
She holds on tighter to her child.
"Please, mercy me! If not me, my child," she cries.
Shao Kahn looks down at her as her pupils spring tears from her brown eyes; her smooth face softens him slightly.
"Sorry to tell you miss, but your soul is-"
"Sorcerer, put her down," Shao Kahn orders, interrupting him.
By the tone of his voice he knows not to question the emperor. He immediately loosens his grip on her curly locks causing her fall to the ground while cradling her kin. She peers upward at Shao Kahn in shock, hurt, and confusion. Her eyes alone asked why.
"Why did he do this? Why did he spare me after taking almost everything from me and my people?"
He catches wind of this, and then answers her by saying, "I will spare you, and your...child," as he graced her cheek with his palm. "As queen of the original throne, I shall take you in as my wife. You shall maintain your title," he practically announces before turning to leave.
Shang Tsung follows in disappointment, for he did not get to take her soul. The queen was left to sob on the throne room floor, alone.
ONE MONTH LATER
All of Edenia had been taken within three days of the invasion. Shao Kahn is now taking the king's place, and he organizes 'Edenia' anyway he sees fit. In no time, it merged with Outworld. The queen, Sindel, had been at his side aloof with the memory of her beautiful realm. Everywhere she went, she could not help but remember that awful night. The only love she felt she truly had was that of her child's.
Regardless of how distant she seems, Shao Kahn began to develope feelings for Sindel, for her beauty knows no bounds. It never occurred to him that he'd ever feel anything for anyone, being a feared emperor was a great feeling as it was.
Knowing this, he attempts at conversation every chance he receives. However, she is not one for words when it comes down to him, and this he understands why. They share a throne, a quarters and are always near each other as a queen and "king" should be.
However, when morning arrives and as she awakens, Shao Kahn turns to her. The sadness still lingers somewhere inside, making her seem almost dead. She leaps out of bed with her silk nightgown gracing her figure and looks out of the window, taking in what Edenia has become. She no longer recognizes this place as her sanctuary; the once elegant river that lingers below was now streaming dark waters. The fountain which held a statue of her built by her people, who were now dead, has begun to decay. This is a hell she cannot wait to escape.
Shao Kahn walks up to her and places his hand on her shoulder, bringing her back to reality as well as stopping the forming of her tears. She turns to face him in sorrowful and angry confusion. She assumed she was only his prize for taking Edenia, nothing more. Conversation was always strangely taken in. He looks into her soft brown eyes as she peers back into his burning green eyes.
"Sindel...there is something I wish for you to know," he begins.
He had never done this before in his life; it makes him feel as if he is a weak and brittle mortal. Though, he is well aware of his strength and knows it has no limits.
"Yes my lord," she replies calmly with a hint of anger on her voice as she remains gazing into his eyes.
He cannot bring himself to say what he intends to. He just stands idly, gazing at her with their faces mere inches apart. Finally, he gives in.
"I know I have taken everything from you. I have no right to declare this but..." he pauses.
"Blast…" he thinks to himself.
She continues to gaze upon him with slightly confused eyes that tell him to continue. He then suddenly leans downward and presses her lips to his softly and passionately.
"I care for you, and I will treasure you as if you are a goddess, not a mere queen, and you shall rule alongside me valiantly," he finishes.
Sindel has shock written all over her face. She feels as if there is nothing else she can do, which is right. She obviously has his heart; something no one else knew existed. But, she knows she would not accept it nor have it long.
Her plan is to sacrifice herself so her month old daughter can have essence in her soul, to keep her pure in this new tainted Edenia. She knew it was the only way Edenia might ever get restored to what it used to be, for her time is nearly over. Sindel will rather die than be tainted and feigning her love for a murderous emperor.
Night has fallen. This is the time she has specifically chosen to execute her plan. She makes her way over to her daughter's cradle and takes her into her arms gently. She then heads toward the door, gliding out of the room without Shao Kahn suspecting a thing in his slumber and proceeds down the corridor. Her bare feet make little noise against the floor and her silk nightgown twirls slightly in the draft of the palace. Hearing what she assumes to be a guard, she turns to a random quarter where she knows no one will pester. The door is wooden with red dragon carvings, quite plain compared to the others. Perfect.
A large candle lingers above each door for when night falls. This gives the red and gold castle a very seductive, luminous look while the flames are burning. She takes this in momentarily, reminiscing how peaceful the realm used to be. She then proceeds to open the door and head inside, closing it slowly and quietly behind her. She places her daughter on the bed and kisses her forehead.
"Behave for me," she whispers.
From her cotton laced silk nightgown she removes a vial containing a purifying potion, and a dagger. She dips the purple plated dagger into the blue liquid carefully and sets the rest in a large drawer, placing books and such over it carefully, making sure no one could ever find it, or at least not without looking very carefully. She speaks a short prayer and turns to her daughter with a tear falling down her cheek.
"I love you...Kitana," she says, then raises the dagger with both hands and plunges it into her abdomen, grunting from the pain with a look of relief on her face.
She falls to the floor with blood staining the dagger and the spot in which she lay. Kitana watches, unaware of what her mother just did. As a result of this a bright, luminous light blue spirit arose from her body, waving around the room slowly until finally it finds its way to Kitana. It travels into her, purifying her soul.
THE NEXT DAY
Shao Kahn sits upon his throne expecting Sindel to show up at any moment. He wonders where she is, but tends to his other evil duties. He glances around the decorated red and golden room in confidence. Suddenly, Shang Tsung enters his room swiftly and bows.
"Emperor..." he speaks as though he knew something awful.
"What," Shao Kahn replies irritatedly, expecting him to be Sindel.
"I have rather troubling news..." he says hesitantly, knowing Shao Kahn's temper, the emperor could kill him at any moment.
"Enlighten me," he snaps sarcastically.
"This is something you must see yourself to believe," Shang Tsung hints for the emperor to follow.
Shao Kahn does not like it, however he stands from his throne and Shang Tsung leads the way.
"This had better be worth my time sorcerer, or I'll kill you myself," Shao Kahn barks, unaware of the situation. Shang Tsung leads him to a wooden door with red carvings.
"You will see once we are inside," Shang Tsung promises, sparking Shao Kahn's curiosity and the urge to kill the sorcerer where he stands.
He quickly opens the door and then they see it...see her. A few guards stand over Sindel who is on the ground, waiting for Shao Kahn's orders on what to do with her. Shao Kahn's eyes grow wide with confusion.
"What is this!?" he yells, catching everyone's eyes.
"It seems she has taken her life to purify her daughter's," Shang Tsung explains with his head down.
"RAH!" Shao Kahn shouts with so much anger everyone steps back.
Shang Tsung looks on the bed at Kitana, who is clueless as to what is occurring at this very moment. Shao Kahn turns and punches the wall to his right, knocking through it so thoroughly you could walk into the next room as if they are connected. The guards jump as the emperor does this. It was silent for a moment until Shao Kahn calms himself and looks to Kitana. He walks over to her and wraps his hands around her tiny body, raising her up.
"Take Sindel to the burial," he orders and storms out, Kitana in his hands. As Shang Tsung follows behind him, Shao turns and hands Kitana to him.
"Make me another daughter...in case this one ever learns of what happened, and forever resents me, make sure the other will not," he orders. "And capture Sindel's soul before it passes into the heavens and is forever lost. She will never leave this realm," Shao Kahn adds harshly.
"Yes emperor," Shang Tsung bows.
As Shao Kahn passes, Shang evilly grins down at Kitana.
"As you wish," he whispers coldly.
THE NEXT DAY
Shang Tsung brings Kitana and her new 'sister' to Shao Kahn for approval.
"Just as you asked Emperor, a new daughter," the sorcerer announces while holding both girls who are wrapped in silk covers before Shao Kahn.
The emperor analyzes the two as he sits upon his throne. They appear to be exactly the same.
"Sindel's soul has been successfully stored in the flesh pits," Shang Tsung adds.
"Very well, what of my new daughter?" Shao Kahn asks impatiently.
"This is Kitana, and this is Mileena," he introduces with a smug grin.
He holds Mileena out to Shao Kahn. As he grabs her the silk wrap falls from her face revealing her true features. Shao Kahn stares at her for a moment.
"Yes, she may prove to be a great warrior when she matures," Shao Kahn announces. "Well done sorcerer."
Shang bows in appreciation. They are identical in every way, except one...