It had been nearly two decades since the defeat of Shinnok during the incredible battles that had taken place which had left a major impact on multiple realms.
Since then, both Earthrealm and Outworld had been finally free of incredibly major threats such as Shao Kahn and Shinnok… however, one was progressively rising within the latter realm.
"Our Avien friends have discovered Reiko's allies fortifying the island where the Lung Hai Temple resides," Bo' Rai Cho reported to his allies at Sun Do.
"You mean the place where those lunatic cultists used to make sacrifices for some apparent 'Great Sea Dragon'?" Li Mei questioned as she tried to recall rumours villagers had told her of many years ago.
"One of the only groups I am glad that Shao Kahn dealt with," Jade remarked as she stood beside her beloved as always.
"Agreed," Li Mei replied as she turned and smiled at her lover who held her hand. A glimmer of a literal jade gemstone within a ring on Jade's finger shone as the two locked hands.
"General Asgaarth wishes to further describe his findings," Bo' Rai Cho announced as he gestured to the warrior that stood beside him.
The warrior known as Asgaarth stepped forth, his silver armour glistening in the sunlight. He was of a race known as Aviens. Such a species bore the appearances of eagle-like humanoids. While their feathers greatly varied, Asgaarth's were entirely white. Such a shade suited him, it matched his purity.
Aviens were actually a species that were native to Edenia. They were equals to Edenians themselves as intelligent lifeforms. However, they had managed to go into hiding much like the Edenians themselves. While Edenians could blend in with the normal Outworlder, Aviens had to go completely off radar. The race only resurfaced once they were certain of the news of a better ruler who would fix Outworld.
That ruler turned out to be true and came in the form of Mileena. The Aviens soon pledged loyalty to the Empress and have been valued allies since with Asgaarth being an especially valuable asset due to his many skills learnt during his time as a General to King Jerrod. He now returns to the same role under new leadership and serves with all his heart and pride.
"Thank you, Lord Bo' Rai Cho," Asgaarth expressed his gratitude as he stepped forth. "I did indeed locate clear members of the Kahn Guard at the Lung Hai Temple, their alarming skull masks making their allegiances clear. Those who were with me flew off to Sabar City to inform the Empress."
"Your fellow Aviens made a wise decision," Bo' Rai Cho commended. "But why did you come here in particular?"
"I believe I have discovered something of far greater urgency when I returned home," Asgaarth revealed to the group. "Robed people were heading towards the remnants of Edenia where many of my people reside. I am unsure why but I am very suspicious of them trespassing on Edenian soil."
"Shadow Priests?" Li Mei predicted.
"Their faces were not hidden behind hoods," Asgaarth clarified as he recalled their appearances. "They certainly reminded me of dastardly sorcerer's, however. They were in large numbers and I didn't wish to risk myself confronting them."
"So you came to us?" Jade asked with surprise in her tone of voice.
"You were the fastest flight for me to head towards to locate strong reinforcements," Asgaarth informed her with praise. "You do have Lord Bo' Rai Cho living amongst you after all.
"I am ready to help protect Outworld whenever needed," Bo' Rai Cho promised.
"I know," Asgaarth replied to him. He then turned to Li Mei and Jade and said, "congratulations on the engagement might I add."
"Aww!" Li Mei replied. "Thank you!"
"So much," Jade added. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Asgaarth responded. "Now… we should urgently construct a plan of confrontation for this suspicious group."
"I agree," Bo' Rai Cho said as he placed a hand on one of his chins. "Since ascending to Godhood, I have been capable of creating a portal. Shall I make one to the Empress' Fortress?"
"If you can gather any allies at all then please," Asgaarth requested. "I shall fly back to the Edenian ruins. Would either of you care to accompany me?"
"I shall," Jade offered as she'd do anything for a fellow native of Edenia. "Will you come too, Li?"
"Somebody must stay to watchover Sun Do," Li Mei informed her.
"The others will be fine," Jade tried to assure her.
"I don't want to risk what happened last time…"
"I understand," Jade said as she hugged her. "Just don't worry, love."
"I'll try not to," Li Mei promised as she returned the embrace. "Besides, I promised Topaz I'd go fishing with her."
"Have fun," Jade said as she headed over to Asgaarth. "I'll see you later."
"Bye, my love," Li Mei said as Jade hopped onto Asgaarth's back and the armoured Avien took flight.
"I suppose I should say my farewells now too," Bo' Rai Cho realised after taking a long swig of booze from his flask. "Stay back, Li Mei."
"Um, what are you doing?" Li Mei asked as she was confused as to what Outworld's Protector God was planning.
"Watch," he instructed as suddenly he began breathing a stream of fire forward into the open area.
"Fire breathing?" Li Mei raised an eyebrow. "Isn't using alcohol to do that y'know… dangerous?"
Suddenly, Bo' Rai Cho's flaming breath had created a swirling portal made of flame before them that was merely temporary. Li Mei was surprised by the sight, Bo' Rai Cho's magic from becoming a God always presented her with a new ability to observe.
"You know you can trust me," Bo' Rai Cho said with a jolly smile. "You've permitted me to train you after all."
"Yes and I am forever grateful for your teachings, Master," Li Mei expressed to him. "I just need to make sure you don't burn down the village now."
Bo' Rai Cho chuckled and said, "I think I'd lose my job quite quickly."
"I think you need to head through that portal quickly," Li Mei pointed to the flaming swirl that was slowly closing. "Wait, is going through that even safe?"
"You worry too much, Li," Bo' Rai Cho informed her.
"Becoming a mother has caused me to do that."
"Well you're great at that," he complimented. "We'll talk more later."
"Bye!" Li Mei waved as Bo' Rai Cho walked through the fire portal as it closed behind him.
As Bo' Rai Cho went to retrieve aid, Asgaarth and Jade were nearing their destination. They soon made it to the area where parts of Edenia had been carried over to Outworld during the merger between the two. In an attempt to completely remove the history of Edenia, Shao Kahn had labelled such an area as the Wastelands of Outworld.
"Do you see them?" Jade asked as Asgaarth halted travelling forth to observe the area from a birds eye view.
"I believe I do!" Asgaarth announced as he pointed to a courtyard-like area below. "Shall I head on down?"
"Go ahead," Jade permitted and Asgaarth soon had the two touching land as he swooped down fast.
Asgaarth had landed the duo at a small fort built of stone that stood opposite another of equal structure. The opposing tower was where Asgaarth had spotted the trespassers. The two towers were connected by a wall that had a platform atop of it to walk from one tower to the next.
"These were built in Edenia?" Jade wondered in surprise due to how imposing they seemed.
"These are what's currently left of the wall that protected the Grand Palace," Asgaarth recognised the old and worn down structure. "That tried to protect it at least…"
"I wish I could've properly seen it," Jade said with a frown as she immediately assumed that what she was looking at was a stark contrast to what Edenia used to be. "Not like this…"
"You will," Asgaarth assured her. "We'll get Edenia back."
"I hope you're right," she replied. "Wish to lead the way?"
"I shall," Asgaarth agreed as they cautiously traversed over to the second tower. "Remain quiet," Asgaarth instructed with a whisper. "I saw them head inside this tower."
Jade nodded and continued to follow before they reached a ladder leading inside the small watchtower. Asgaarth glided down to the wooden flooring, seeing that as a quieter method of entering. Jade cautiously climbed down the ladder. The talk between the mysterious people drowned out the sound of Jade climbing down.
"I still can't believe that Naknadan fool believed us!" came one voice from the level of the interior beneath Asgaarth and Jade.
"Very amusing, Yogan," another voice spoke. "The Dragon King would be pleased by such deception."
"Did you hear Jinja, Saishi?" asked Yogan. "He was all like 'we love Shao Kahn! We'll do anything to help your cause, you handsome Naknadan genius!' Hah!"
"I'm sure that Kollector would've loved to have heard you stroke his ego some more," Saishi commented as Yogan laughed while she spoke.
"Having to speak such a sentence made me ill," Jinja stated.
"Now is no time for jokes, friends," spoke their leader. "We must make haste with returning this Kamidogu to our Lava Shrine."
"Hornbuckle makes a reasonable suggestion," Jinja admitted. "We should secure the safety of the Kamidogu before our Emperor gives further instructions."
"Precisely," Hornbuckle agreed.
"Understood," Saishi confirmed the order.
"You're the leader," Yogan pointed out. "We must celebrate such a momentous achievement afterwards though."
"YOU WILL CELEBRATE WHEN ALL THE REALMS ARE MINE!" bellowed a loud voice as a burst of orange light suddenly emitted through the cracks in the floorboards that Asgaarth and Jade stood on in secret.
"O-Onaga!" Yogan stumbled over into a kneeling position.
"EMPEROR Onaga!" he corrected him as he spoke through the form of an ethereal spirit of sorts. "Focus on MY orders! Retrieve the Edenia Kamidogu which I alone discovered for you to grab! Then retrieve the orb that I have detected buried underground near this tower! Do this AFTER dispatching of the two fools who are blatantly eavesdropping on your discussion!"
"Wait what?!" Saishi was shocked as were his fellow allies after hearing the news as their Emperor faded away once more. "Who dares?!"
"Somebody accompany me to check on the others' progress with locating the mystical orb," Hornbuckle requested. "Urgently."
"Yessir!" Jinja complied as the two headed outside to begin digging.
"Wait!" Yogan yelled. "What about us?!"
"Kill whoever pursues us!" Hornbuckle ordered.
As Hornbuckle and Jinja walked out of the tower, Jade smashed her staff through one of the wooden boards, bashing Yogan on the skull by doing so.
"Agh!" he yelled. "Get back here, lady!"
Yogan and Saishi chased after Jade and Asgaarth as they soon met on the same level of the tower. Jade struck her staff forth to push the attacking men back, meanwhile Asgaarth pulled out a pair of chakram that he attached to his armour, weapons that King Jerrod had gifted him long ago.
"What did you hear?!" Yogan interrogated.
"Enough to know that you know where the orb to free our realm is," Jade revealed to him.
"It's ours!" Saishi yelled.
"Why do you want it?" Asgaarth began his own interrogation.
"None of your business!" Yogan yelled.
"It's none of ours either apparently," Saishi remarked.
"You don't even know?" asked Asgaarth.
"It's a valuable item!" Yogan pointed out. "Why wouldn't anyone want it?!"
"We care more for its function than it's value," Asgaarth stated. "Surrender your plans at once."
"Hmm… no," Yogan refused disrespectfully right as Saishi blasted a burst of magma at their enemies. "Let's kill them!"
Jade pulled Asgaarth aside as magma came flying at him, causing it to miss and land on the floorboards, setting the room ablaze as the flooring began melting. Asgaarth flew out of the tower, knowing very well of how dangerous fire particularly was to Aviens due to their flammable feathers.
Jade tried climbing out but one of the sorcerers kicked the ladder she was climbing over, causing her to fallback and crash through a couple of floorboards.
Asgaarth hadn't abandoned her ally at all, however, and made sure to cling onto a window of the tower before throwing a chakram inside which cut the chest of Yogan.
"Gah!" Yogan grunted. "You damn bird!"
Before Yogan could attack him, Asgaarth flew up to the roof of the tower and challenged the duo to climb up.
"Avien flight is far less impressive than that of Dragons," Saishi commented as he and Yogan climbed up and began circling Asgaarth.
"Unfortunately you are neither," Asgaarth commented as he readied to attack with his remaining chakram. "I had actually requested reinforcements to deal with you all… but it seems I will need no such thing."
"Fool!" Yogan insulted. "You challenge the Dragon King's Holy People!"
"I care not for your title," Asgaarth told him. "Now let us fight."
Asgaarth ran forth, slicing Yogan further with his second chakram, seeking to worsen his wound. Saishi ran over to aid his friend but Asgaarth clawed his face before kicking him aside. Saishi still made for a good enough distraction that Yogan could take advantage of. His back now turned, Yogan blasted a fireball at the back of Asgaarth's chestplate, embers flying onto his father's which scorched him to a small degree. Having studied and learnt various elements, particularly that of fire, lava and magma, the group of sorcerers were wise in utilising their unique powers.
Asgaarth took flight, flapping his wings in an attempt to stop the fire on the back of him, before having to crash down as a second fireball attempted to snipe him out of the air. Asgaarth fell, landing into an empty holder for an old catapult placed on the tower. Yogan then flicked a tiny flame that landed on the restraining rope of the catapult, causing it to turn to ash as Asgaarth was propelled into the air. The catapult shot Asgaarth and he smashed against the wall of the opposing tower, sliding down as he left blood smears on the wall as he fell to the ground below. This fall had stopped the flames burning him but had also nearly destroyed Asgaarth's back by doing so.
"Asgaarth!" Jade yelled as she had also fallen to the ground after crashing through the floorboards in the tower and crawling out. "Are you alright?!"
"Neither of you are," Hornbuckle claimed. "Jinja! Finish them!"
Lava suddenly emerged from thin air above both Jade and Asgaarth. Jade scooped up her wounded feathered friend and pulled both of them aside as the lava came flowing down right before it could melt them. The lava set the purple soil surrounding the drained Wastelands aflame as it began melting through the chunk of soil which it had fallen on. Jinja prepared to create more lava, but Asgaarth mustered his remaining strength to launch his remaining chakram which sliced the hand of Jinja before she could summon anything from it. Jinja clutched her now deeply cut open hand as Jade carried Asgaarth further away from the flames, behind a side of one of the watchtower's to assure his safety for the moment.
"After them!" Hornbuckle ordered Jinja who complied while he turned to another couple sorcerers amongst the Holy People and asked, "has the orb been uncovered yet?"
"Soon I'm sure," one believed as the other made a digging tool of sorts out of magma to pull up more soil.
The other then filled the hole with lava which began melting through the ground before another spell completely removed the makeshift lava pool. The two then jumped into the pit and searched for an orb.
"Anything?!" Hornbuckle asked from atop the hole.
"Here!" one said as they scooped up a peculiar looking sphere and dusted the oddly coloured dirt off of it before throwing it to their commander.
"Excellent," Hornbuckle complimented as he caught the orb and carefully cradled it in his hands. "Grab the Kamidogu! Let us return home!"
"First we deal with these two!" Jinja demanded as she peered around the corner of the tower to see Jade and Asgaarth with Yogan and Saishi peering over the tower to stare down at them as they prepared to strike. "Nobody can report that they have seen us! Nobody!"
"Then you have an awful lot of people to silence."
"It's the new Protector God!" Hornbuckle realised as Bo' Rai Cho arrived with backup in the form of the Hail clan and Tanya and the former Queen of Edenia herself for additional support.
"That's the orb!" Sindel immediately recognised the purpose of what Hornbuckle carried. "Hand it over this instant!"
"I'd rather not, your highness!" Hornbuckle with no care for Queen Sindel. "Quickly! Retrieve the Kamidogu!"
"We have it!" Saishi announced as he and Yogan exited the tower while cradling the artifact in their hands.
"I'll get it," Tanya said with determination as she ran forth.
"Tanya!" Sindel called for. "Wait!"
Tanya sprung into the air, becoming surrounded by fire before flying forth, spinning like a drill towards Hornbuckle. She crashed into Hornbuckle who was knocked back into the hole, crashing into his two allies down below. The orb fell on the ground. Tanya ran over to collect it but so did Yogan. Using her flexibility, Tanya slid forth and stretched her legs out and wrapped them around the orb before rolling back, tossing the orb behind her as she did so. Yogan then punched Tanya, causing her to retaliate with a violent elbow which busted his nose open.
As Tanya and Yogan traded blows, the Hail ran forth to try and get the fallen orb. Before this could occur, however, Jinja suddenly made a massive wall of lava that blocked their path. Jade proceeded to charge at Jinja with a nitro kick that was amplified by her unique Edenian energy. Jinja was knocked back but retaliated with a fireball which Jade absorbed with no issue as she surrounded herself with her own protective purple energy. Before Jade could strike again, Jinja caused the lava wall to fall in an attempt to completely incinerate the entire clan standing before it.
"Look out!" Rain yelled as he and Alyssa desperately began trying to put out or at least stop the lava with huge amounts of water that they released from their own hands. "Move back, everyone!"
The rest of the Hail complied as they alongside Bo' Rai Cho and Sindel watched helplessly, the former knowing fully well that nothing he had could help put out all of that lava. They noticed that Rain and Alyssa had begun making a roof of sorts made of water which protruded from their own wall of water to prevent any boiling lava from seeping in. The lava fell on the water roof and slowly began being cooled off but was still heavier than the water they were blasting at the most powerful of levels. The lava began pushing through the makeshift roof.
"It's not working well enough!" Alyssa noticed. "We're… we're not strong enough…"
"Go!" Rain ordered. "Go now!"
"I'm not leaving you!" Alyssa yelled back. "I can't!"
"I'm sorry, Ally," Rain apologised before water released from the wall which targeted Alyssa and pushed her back away from the falling lava.
"Rain!" Alyssa yelled as she used all her energy to create a hand made out of strong water as she shot it forwards as it clung to Rain. "I said I'm not leaving you!"
Alyssa then used the magical water hand to drag Rain back at a fast enough speed that he got away before the lava could land on him. Alyssa hugged Rain after fearing she was about to lose her master.
"You saved me…" Rain processed what had just happened as now a large pool of lava stood before them as the wall collapsed outside of their range. "Thank you, Ally."
"You were going to give your life for the entire clan!" Alyssa stated as she let go of the embrace. "You deserve our thanks more."
"Don't mention it," Rain said as he stood up. "Let's focus on getting this damn orb first."
"And just how do we get over there?" Alyssa asked as they gazed over the lava and saw Jade and Tanya battling their enemies side by side.
"I can," Sindel said now that the lava had lowered as she took flight. "I'm coming, girls!"
"Wish we could do that…" Alyssa commented. "Wait! I have an idea!"
"You do?" Rain asked.
"Watch," she said as she blasted water from her hands towards the ground which pulled her up.
"Hey!" Rain yelled. "Be careful!"
Alyssa followed Sindel as the two flew over the lava pool that blocked the passage of the others. Rain went to copy what his pupil had executed but Bo' Rai Cho grabbed his arm and stopped him. Bo' Rai Cho then took his staff and stuck it into the ground before using his incredible balance to stand atop of his own staff. Rain gave him a puzzled look.
"Use your magic to propel me higher," Bo' Rai Cho requested.
"That seems risky…" he replied with hesitation in following the request.
"I'm a God," Bo' Rai Cho reminded him. "Something you're quite similar to yourself."
"What?" Rain became even more confused by the Protector God.
"I'd explain but I don't think I am permitted to just yet," Bo' Rai Cho told him in reference to Rain's true status as a Demi-God which the hydromancer himself was still oblivious to.
"Alright…" Rain said as he still didn't have a clue about what Bo' Rai Cho was referring to.
"Anyway, just hit me with your water," Bo' Rai Cho requested once more.
"And I thought the other Protector Gods were bizarre," Rain remarked as he finally complied with Bo' Rai Cho's request.
Bo' Rai Cho was sent higher into the air as he had intended and then began performing flips to push himself further forward before he landed on the ground just after the lava. Rain then hurled his signature Jo staff which Bo' Rai Cho caught with impressive ease before coming to aid in the fight against Onaga's Holy People.
"Go around," Rain instructed the rest of his clan. "These freaks are probably planning on running off anyway so you might as well try and intercept them!"
Rain then proceeded to replicate what her talented student had done to pass the lava pool while his other pupils followed his given command. He came over to help Alyssa as she was surrounded by the two people who dug up the orb in the first place as he came in with a roundhouse kick which struck the jaw of one cleanly, throwing their head back so far that their hood fell down. All of the sorcerers wore the same black cloak with orange accents that came paired with an ominous hood, very similar to the cloaks that the Shadow Priests wore but less concealing.
Getting a clear glimpse of the man's face, Rain could tell that they were rather old as they bore long grey hair that was balding. It made Rain wonder how long these bizarre people have been around for. Despite their age, the man delivered a precise chop to Rain's throat which completely took the air out of him. Alyssa came over and blasted the man from behind with a water beam, shoving him into Rain who proceeded to grapple him and put his head under his arm while surrounding his head with a water bubble in an attempt to drown the man who threatened their best student. Alyssa meanwhile began battling the other sorcerer in a clash of fire and water.
Their battle was interrupted as Tanya was kicked back into Rain by Yogan. Rain went to help her up but his now freed opponent got him in a headlock which he made even worse by setting his own arms aflame. Alyssa managed to takedown the sorcerer confronting her before using water to slide over to get the other sorcerer off of Rain.
Tanya stood up but Yogan immediately dove in from behind and attacked the back of her knee which caused her to collapse instantly. Yogan then rolled on top of Tanya and began hitting flaming punches at her who retaliated by spitting in his face, the spit burning his face a bit as it had been enhanced by pyromancy. Tanya then stabbed her Kobu Jutsu into his legs which caused him to cry out in pain before restraining her arms to prevent being stabbed further and then attempting to burn her arms.
"Get off her!" Rain yelled as he struck Yogan in the back of the head with a spinning heel kick.
Yogan got up and went to strike Rain but Tanya sweeped his legs and proceeded to stab his legs again. Hornbuckle interrupted this with a massive fireball which blasted the fighting group away in an attempt to split things up. He then summoned a portal nearby made of lava.
"Everybody!" Hornbuckle called for. "Let's go! Now!"
"Not so fast!" Sindel yelled as she landed in front of Hornbuckle who was about to retreat. "If you wish to leave then you will hand me what you have stolen."
"Finders keepers," Hornbuckle replied.
Sindel simply screamed in his face, an ear piercing screech that stunned Hornbuckle before Sindel wrapped her enchanted hair around his neck and began throwing him up into the air and then smashed down into the ground. Saishi tried to intervene but Bo' Rai Cho suddenly came into the fight with a monkey flip attack which dropped Saishi onto his back.
Soon, more of Onaga's Holy People emerged from the portal that Hornbuckle had placed. It led to their well hidden hideout and it's creation had additionally alerted the other's at the hideout itself to investigate. As they emerged, the rest of the Hail clan had now made it to where the fighting was taking place. The incoming Holy People immediately attacked this clan.
"Thanks… for helping me there, Rain," Tanya hesitantly expressed her gratitude.
"You're welcome," Rain said back. Tanya's hatred for Rain and his clan had diminished a fair bit, especially thanks to Rain's improved attitude as of late.
"Rain!" Alyssa yelled as she pointed to their clan in conflict. "We must help them now!"
"Let's go," Rain said with a nod and the two began sprinting over to help their clan.
Tanya meanwhile, ran over to help Jade in her struggle against the powerful sorceress named Jinja. Tanya grabbed onto her shoulders and performed a handstand flip over Jinja, flipping her over onto the ground as she did such an impressive maneuver. Jade then smashed Jinja with her Bo staff.
The incoming sorcerers while most were occupied with the Hail clan, a good number ran through to help gather the other's. Jade and Tanya soon found themselves standing against nearly a dozen of the Holy People.
"How do you like it?" Jinja asked as she staggered to her feet with allies getting in front of her for protection. "What will you do when the number's advantage falls against you?"
Just then, Bo' Rai Cho attacked the group after hurling Saishi's body into three of them as if he was knocking down bowling pins. More surrounded him, but the Protector God leapt up and dropped his hefty body on the ground, causing the nearby ground to shake thanks to some additional magical properties to the ability. Bo' Rai Cho then kipped up, and began to knock down each sorcerer with his staff one by one.
"Stop him!" Hornbuckle demanded between dodging attacks from an angry Sindel. "And stop attacking me!"
"I gave you your chance for surrender," Sindel reminded him. "You should've taken it."
"I'll take your life," he promised.
"I'd love to see you try," Sindel replied before going to whip him with her hair.
However, Hornbuckle sent a blast of cursed flames, fire that was green and held additional dangerous properties. Although himself and all of his fellow sorcerers amongst Onaga's Holy People studied all things that can burn, Hornbuckle was the only one to learn how to execute the cursed flame magic. The flames connected with Sindel's hair whip and set her hair aflame. Sindel screamed out of genuine pain as her hair began being incinerated rapidly, said scream completely causing Hornbuckle to fall unconscious.
"Grab the Kamidogu and orb!" Jinja demanded as those near her tried taking on Bo' Rai Cho. "And grab Hornbuckle!"
Due to how respected she was, the other sorcerers followed her order and immediately searched for the orb and Edenia Kamidogu, both of which having been dropped amidst the battle. Hornbuckle meanwhile was dragged over to the portal.
"No!" Sindel cried out as Rain and Alyssa ran over to try and put out the cursed flames before they could spread to Sindel's own face. "Forget about me! We need the orb!"
"And we'll get it!" Tanya promised before transforming into what was like a flaming drill again and spinning at a rapid pace towards the sorcerers carrying the artifacts.
The sorcerers quickly had an idea and collectively sent fireballs to topple the nearby tower, hoping to block or even crush the incoming pyromancer. Meanwhile, Rain and Alyssa realised that water was useless against the cursed flames. Rain thought quickly for an alternative solution, grabbing his katar and cutting off a strand of Sindel's hair before it spreaded further. Doing so set the dagger part of Rain's katar aflame, and he decided to throw the weapon away at the now falling tower. The cursed flames caused a massive explosion on heavy impact with the tower, blowing up a clear path for Tanya to pass through. She crashed into the sorcerers carrying the Edenia artifacts. The Kamidogu flew forth, into the hands of a sorcerer ahead of the group that Tanya had knocked over, but she now held the orb. Jinja quickly blocked the gap between the two sides battling with fire and gestured for her allies to begin retreating.
"But the orb!" Yogan yelled. "They have it!"
"Emperor Onaga would prefer we return with the Kamidogu instead of dying in an attempt to get a mere orb," Jinja believed before grabbing Yogan and chucking him through the portal. "Enjoy that orb, Edenians."
"We will," Tanya replied past the fire that separated her from the robed Holy People who began taking their leave with the Kamidogu. Soon all of Onaga's Holy People had departed, shutting the lava portal behind them.
"Well done, Tanya," Jade praised. "You have it."
"The orb!" Alyssa cheered. "This means…"
"That Edenia can be restored," Tanya finished her sentence.
"Finally," Sindel said as she now had a smile on her face. "Thank you all for helping there… this is an incredible finding."
"Well?" Rain asked. "What are we waiting for? Let's smash it!"
"A public announcement should be made first," Sindel believed as Tanya carefully handed her the orb. "Since breaking it would transport any Edenia native to there… and we should probably give notice of that beforehand."
"We didn't with the Saurians," Rain reminded her.
"Well Daahraan didn't really give us a chance," Sindel said as the group recalled what had occurred the first time they had obtained an orb. "We've waited over ten thousand years. I'm sure we can wait for a few more hours."
"Great job to all of you," Bo' Rai Cho commended. "I do worry about what that other artifact they wanted is for…"
"Can't you make a portal yourself to chase them?" Alyssa inquired.
"I could if we knew where they went."
"Fear not, Lord Bo' Rai Cho," Asgaarth spoke up as Jade helped him stand due to his injuries. "Despite the mystery of those sorcerers, this is still a victory for us."
"But a victory for them too," Bo' Rai Cho believed. "Does anybody have any idea who they were?"
"Did Reiko find some new sorcerers by any chance?" Sindel wondered.
"Actually myself and Jade overheard them before they were alerted of our presence," Asgaarth revealed as he tried to recall what had been said. "They were insulting Kollector after tricking him over some information… I presume the location of the artifacts."
"How would Kollector know?" Bo' Rai Cho wondered.
"I have no idea," Asgaarth admitted.
"But this means they can't be loyal to Reiko!" Jade pointed out. "Also, there was this bright orange ball of light that suddenly appeared and they addressed him as Emperor Onaga."
"The Dragon King," Asgaarth stated. "I remember you mentioning him before, Queen Sindel."
"Yes," Sindel recalled the legend of Onaga. "Shao Kahn wasn't always the Emperor of Outworld, not even during the early years of my rule in Edenia."
"You've seen him?!" Jade asked with surprise.
"Heard of him," she clarified. "Although Edenia attempted peace treaties with all realms, Onaga always ignored our offers to have such a meeting. And then we heard news that Shao Kahn had usurped him…"
"How'd he die?"
"Shao Kahn claimed he poisoned him," Sindel sadly recalled her dreadful interactions with Shao Kahn. "Since he was the Protector God of Outworld… I assumed he was actually doing his job."
"So you attempted a peace treaty with him instead," Asgaarth recalled.
"I was going to," Sindel confirmed. "But it didn't take him long to show his true colours now, did he?"
"Doesn't surprise me," Jade said as she crossed her arms. "So… this Onaga guy is back?"
"I am clueless as to what the spirit you saw was," Sindel clarified, "but those must've been the last of his followers."
"So do you know what this guy is like?" Alyssa asked with the entire group of Edenians being curious.
"Nothing good," Sindel stated. "But… I am clueless about any specifics about him."
"Perhaps those sorcerers are just merely insane and trying to fulfil a long dead master's wish," Rain analysed and made a prediction. "Just like the Kahn Guard."
"Today keeps getting stranger," Asgaarth remarked. "We should warn the Empress about this… whether it's a major threat or not."
"She and Kitana are leading an investigation regarding the discovery your fellow Aviens made," she said in reference to the Kahn Guard being located at the abandoned Lung Hai Temple. "We should return home, however."
"Allow me to make the journey quicker," Bo' Rai Cho said before making a portal once again. "Come along."
While Bo' Rai Cho transported his Edenia native allies back to Mileena's Fortress, Onaga's Holy People had returned to their own home. The Lava Shrine. The structure had been built within a literal volcano that had been dormant for thousands of years, seeming unlikely to ever erupt again. Although such conditions weren't desirable for the group of Onaga's Holy People, they felt it was a safer alternative to the Sarna Ruins. The Sarna Ruins housed the ancient tomb of Onaga, his resting spot, and the resting spot of his army.
Onaga's Holy People, now commonly titled the Lava Shrine Priests, were all that remained of Onaga's loyal servants. They made their home amongst the Sarna Ruins, seeking to pay tribute to their Emperor and his soldiers… as well as to protect something very special.
"How is the Great Dragon Egg, minion?!" Jinja inquired as she approached an altar with dragon-like wings on the sides with a large egg in the centre. "Blaze?!"
Emerging from a lavafall that covered behind the altar was an elemental being who went by the given name of Blaze. He was surrounded by fire constantly, with himself being made up of a mix of flame and lava. His powers were what the sorcerers had studied and since began replicating flawlessly. He stood before Jinja and took a knee.
"Unchanged and unharmed since your most recent absence," Blaze mindlessly reported.
"Excellent," Jinja said as she patted Blaze on his literally hot head. "Continue to observe it. Always."
"Yes," he said bluntly to affirm his compliance. "I understand."
Blaze returned to his forced duty of protecting the Great Dragon Egg, which had been relocated to this very volcano due to the instability in the desert that the area resided in. Tornadoes frequently surrounded such a part of the desert and made it even riskier than living within a volcano. Meanwhile, Jinja returned to the rest of her fellow Lava Shrine Priests, seeing Yogan and Saishi making contact with their Emperor while the others helped Hornbuckle recover after falling unconscious.
"We have the Kamidogu though, Emperor," Yogan stated as if he was having to defend the group.
"And how exactly did you lose the orb?!" their leader asked through the bizarre spirit.
"Emperor Onaga," Jinja acknowledged as she took a bow. "I instructed the group to retreat to avoid any further losses. If there is an issue with my decision, then you should blame me."
"I see…" Onaga replied as he considered what he had been told. "Your bold honesty is certainly commendable."
"I was just seeking the least risky scenario, Emperor," Jinja informed him. "I have no wishes to disrupt your plans or anything of the sort."
"So long as the Kamidogu is yours then my plan can still proceed," he revealed.
"Why did you need the orb in the first place?" Saishi wondered as he spoke up. "If I may ask, that is."
"The orb is capable of demerging realms, yes?" he asked.
"As you stated the other day," Saishi recalled.
"But the amount of realms doesn't matter for your plan since the outcome will be the same either way," Jinja pointed out as she placed a hand on her chin to think.
"Precisely," Onaga confirmed Jinja's analysis. "That is why shattering the orb myself could only bring benefits to us."
"How so?"
"You fools saw how many Edenians there are still around Outworld that would oppose my return," Onaga began to properly explain himself. "If I had their orb, I could shatter it before I conduct my planned ritual… they'd be unable to stop me."
"Because the orb transports natives back to their realm," Yogan realised. "Genius plan, my Emperor!"
"But because you took my mission so casually, we have lost that benefit," Onaga said with disappointment riddled in his tone of voice. "A minor inconvenience, however. As long as we, no, I have all the Kamidogu then success is still a guarantee."
"I assure you that we have the Edenia Kamidogu in one piece," Saishi said as he presented the artifact for Onaga. "Is it time to bring it to the Nexus?"
"I checked their whereabouts and the Elder God's Champion is occupied with something in Earthrealm," Onaga detailed with his avatar form allowing him to spectate wherever he wished to throughout the realms. "Travel to the Nexus now. It is unlikely you will face any confrontations."
"We will be discreet," Yogan promised.
"One last thing," Jinja said as she still had one final question, "what about that old man?"
"Still imprisoned," Onaga said with a sigh. "That blasted fool."
"Must we retrieve the Orderrealm Kamidogu ourselves then?"
"No," Onaga denied. "I have located a mercenary already planning on freeing him. Perhaps a promise of Koins will sway his actions to come with more haste."
"They better succeed," Saishi hoped. "I'm getting quite tired of the old man's failures."
"How do you think I feel after countless periods throughout time?!"
"Uh… overtired?" Yogan guessed.
"That is an understatement to say the least," the Dragon King stated. "From getting captured by Tarkatans, to trying to purify his soul after joining some tribe, to getting himself arrested over a mere curfew and then failing to escape imprisonment which gave him this long sentence that he's now uselessly sitting through!"
"Why need the pathetic bastard anyway?" Yogan wondered. "We can go and do a far better job than he could this instant."
"Very bold of you, Yogan," Onaga acknowledged. "You merely prove why you are the most foolish person amongst all of my followers."
"Thanks…"
"The Seidan Guard are well organised and armed," Onaga warned them. "They're an even greater force than you… as it currently stands at least."
"So you think one idiot will do the job and not us?!"
"Let me finish, boy!" Onaga demanded. "Shujinko, despite having wasted many of his years, has still learnt much over that time. Despite all I have witnessed, I believe he is the most superior fighter amongst the humans of all the realms."
"Only thanks to your gift," Jinja pointed out.
"Yes," Onaga confirmed. "The gift to replicate the abilities and skills of anybody that you study well enough. That is why you all possess the abilities of the Firespawn."
"We are forever grateful, Emperor Onaga," Jinja stated as she took a bow, similar to how Blaze did so when addressing her.
"I know," Onaga assured them. "Now repay me by doing this one job: head to the Nexus with the Edenia Kamidogu, place it on the designated slot on the altar, and return here without a trace…"
"Am I clear?"