Silence...
Isolation...
The still, unmoving prison he's been stuck in for years. This is all he's known for years to come. This is what he's grown to accept. He can't do anything about the silence for he was unable to move or see. All he could do is listen to the lingering words in his head
'I will return'
'Until we meet again'
These words... these promises ran through his head. He remembers these words. He remembers them coming from his mouth. He made these promises. Promises he had yet to live up to. Promises he might never get the chance to live up to.
What was he to do? He tried what he's been trying to do for years to come, move. Even just an inch would bring his spirits up. But alas, this lead to the same result as his past attempts.
As he was left to mourn in his indefinite state, something happened. Something that hasn't happened in god knows how long.
He felt something.
Something came into contact with his skin. It felt like a small appendage, like a hand. But he didn't have time to ponder on the Feeling as he was met with another feeling, as something tore through his side.
Pain.
Whatever was touching him was hurting him. He tried to let out a cry as he felt some of his skin get ripped off.
He couldn't let this continue. If he did, his life could very much be ending shortly after feeling something for the first time in a long time. So with a desire to survive, he tried for what may be the last time, he pushed himself, in hopes of Gaining power over his body. He needed to move!
During his struggles, the pain stopped but he paid no mind as he felt closer than ever before. His body shook as his jaw tightened. With a final push, he let out a roar as he forced his eyes to open for the first time in years.
He could see again! He saw the bloody, dimly lit room, with guts lying everywhere and a Pool of blood in the center.
He could smell. The metallic smell of fresh blood and the rotting smell of old flesh combined.
He could feel. The thick liquid that fell from the fresh wound on his Side. The Cold, metal table that carried his body.
He knew this place. He was in the Flesh Pits.
Knowing where he was, he tried to move, as he remembered how to navigate through the area. Yet despite regaining consciousness, his body was still stiff and immobile.
He sighed, but was content. He made more progress than he ever did in the past few years. So despite his paralyzed state, he was happy to have reached so far.
But he was taken out of his thoughts when he sensed something else.
He heard something. A small growl combined with soft whimper, Like a scared little animal. He looked around, wondering where the noise came from, before seeing something hiding in the shadows across the room. It was small, and crouched down, as if it was hiding. He saw a line of blood that lead from his table to the creature. This meant that whatever this was, it was the same creature that wounded him.
He watched the creature carefully. Unable to move, he can't fend off this creature, but due to his large physique, his conscious state makes him too intimidating to attack. He hoped the creature didn't notice that he couldn't move, or it might attack him again.
He tried to call out to the creature. If this creature was like a Tarkatan or a Zaterran, then he might be able to reason with it. He spoke loudly and with strength to his Voice, in attempts to make himself seem less vulnerable.
"You there," he called out, "come into the light, so I can see you"
The Creature didn't move
"I do not wish to harm you, please come closer" He requested again, but in a softer voice.
It remained still.
He sighed. Maybe it's best for him to take this a little slower. After all, when he yelled out, it must have been frightened by him. So instead, he tried to get to know the little creature.
"Can you speak, little one?" He asked, calmly. Hoping not to startle it. Like his past attempts, he got no response. He sighed once as it was clear this wasn't going anywhere. So he laid down in silence. His body was still Paralyzed. So he needed to rest in order to regain strength.
It wasn't long until he heard movement, nearing him. Thinking it was the little creature, he was prepared to act accordingly. But he was surprised when he heard a familiar Voice.
"What are you doing from your cage!?" The familiar voice yelled out at the creature who whimpered at his harsh tone.
'The sorcerer!' He pondered, as his teeth tightened in anger. He did this to him! He's the reason why he was stuck here! If he could move, he would rip his head clean off his shoulders!
'But I can't'
If the sorcerer noticed him, he would be forced back into unconsciousness. Suppressing his anger, he remained Immobile, as he listened to the man's interactions between the creature.
"Who's blood is that!?" The man asked, seeing the creature's face covered in blood. It gave no response, but Following the trail it left behind, it wasn't long until he saw a gaping wound on his other guest.
His face gained a heavy scowl as he glared at the Creature, who grew more frightened by the man and what he'll do to it.
"Your Tarkatan genes are acting up," he said, "Clearly, you need more testing."
Suddenly the paralyzed man heard yelling and what sounded like pleading from the creature, as the sorcerer grabbed it. Then he heard whirring sounds and a spell of some sort with words of an ancient tongue he couldn't understand. The spell was followed with a screech of pain, that filled the man with worry.
The creature was being Tortured. He listened to it's agony with a heavy heart, unable to move or help it. But his curiosity made him take a quick look, wondering more about The two present in the room.
With a quick glance he was shocked to what he saw.
The creature that bit him was a child. Not just any child, but a child who shared a distinct familiarity with Princess Kitana . The key difference between the two being her yellow eyes and Her mouth filled with hundreds of Needle like teeth and no cheeks or lips to hide her jaws, similar to a Tarkatan.
She screamed and shook in pain as green magic traveled through her body. The sorcerer seemed to be making adjustments to the girl as her Mouth began to change. Her teeth began to grow skin by the edge, which caused great pain to the small child. Yet despite the sorcerer's constant attempts, the skin always tore off and wouldn't stay.
He sighed in frustration. Seeing her now bloody mouth as her skin tore apart as soon as he made it grow.
"Shao Kahn will not be happy about this..." He pondered, "but there's nothing to be done..." he took the little girl and threw her back into her cell. Unlike her "siblings" in their tubes, she was complete. She only needed to mature physically then she will be ready for the emperor.
She breathed heavily in pain as she was able to rest in her cage while the sorcerer took his leave. She let out a small sob as she laid there in solitude. How much longer must she feel this pain? How much longer will that man do this to her? She didn't know, and at this point, she was too tired to ponder it any longer.
The looked to the girl in pity. He knew not the story behind her, but he knew that the sorcerer was to blame for her suffering.
'Damn you' he thought, 'I will make you pay for this, Shang Tsung'