Rescue Pt. 1
Darkness. All I see is darkness. Hate. All I know is hate. Pain. All I feel is pain. Sorrow. All I hear is sorrow. Death. All I smell...is death.
It's been three weeks since Mileena was removed from her throne. Although Mileena was in a dire state of depression ever since, her talk with Kitana seemed to have affected her spirits as of late. She's been training. No longer was she trying to be the assassin she was born to be. She could no longer rely on her weapons, including her teeth. Those are to be a last resort; a form of execution.
Mileena's new talents were focused on her magical prowess and intimidation tactics. While no one would usually cross her without the mask, she no longer possesses daunting presence she once had. She also needs to gain the respect and love of others. She was never the most likeable individual in Outworld. Finding these qualities isn't something she can do on her own. That's what she has Kitana for.
"Sister." Kitana called out. Mileena looked her direction and noticed Jade was with her. She was surprised as she hadn't seen Jade since the Coup D'état against Shang Tsung. "I found her." Jade frowned upon seeing Mileena.
"Is there something on your tongue that you'd wish to spew?" Mileena snapped. Jade remained silent.
"Jade?" Kitana placed her hand on Jade's shoulder.
"I don't know where you've been all of this time, but your...sister...hasn't been a very admirable person." Jade responded.
"What was that?" Mileena questioned.
"Enough!" Kitana shouted as she removed her hand from Jade's shoulder. "Jade, you know why you're here." Jade looked to the ground.
"My apologies, your highness."
"Why is she here?"
"We've found Tanya's location. It seems that she's been in the Cobalt mines this entire time." Kitana stated.
"The cobalt mines?" Mileena questioned. "I've been to the mines for years and I've never seen her there."
"Has Shang Tsung taken you to the torture room?" Kitana mumbled. Mileena was puzzled.
"I never heard of such a room." she responded.
"Did Shang Tsung ever tell you how he found out about the realm of Arnyek?" Jade asked.
"Dare I want to know?" Mileena questioned in disgust. "Why would she be in the torture chamber?"
"That's what we all want to know. He wouldn't need information to betray you, especially when we all knew where you were." Jade responded.
"We can discuss this once we retrieve Tanya. If we want to reclaim the throne of Outworld, we'll need her power." Kitana explained.
"And what if she somehow found the location of the Portal Spheres?" Mileena asked. Kitana closed her eyes as she attempted to come up with the best way to approach her question.
"We kill her." Jade concluded bluntly. "I'd rather she not be around than not be on our side." Mileena grinned and looked at Kitana who seemed a bit troubled. Kitana opened her eyes and nodded.
*Later that Night*
Mileena, Kitana, and Jade hid in the bushes on a cliff that oversaw the entrance to the Cobalt Mines. Upon observation, they spot a total of 16 Centaurs walking in and out of the mines during each of their shift changes, thus only 8 centaurs are actually guarding the mines per hour.
"It's been 20 minutes since the last shift change, sister. What are we waiting for?" Mileena questioned.
"Patience, Mileena. We need to do this as quickly and quietly as we can. Besides, you're going to stay behind while Jade and I deal with the rescue." Kitana responded quietly.
"Wouldn't it be more beneficial for me to be the one rescuing her? If they catch you—"
"Knowledge of Kitana's presence would cause a stir. People haven't seen her in 15 years. Nor have they seen Shao Kahn." Jade added.
"Also, there are a lot of relationships that need to be mended if we want to succeed with our plan." Kitana mentions as she looks at Mileena disappointed.
"Don't look at me like that. Has Shang Tsung taken you to the torture room?" Mileena mocked.
"Touché, as the Earthrealmers would say." Kitana responded.
A fourth person entered the bushes with them, slightly startling Mileena. After regaining her composure, she recognized the person as Rain. He seemed to not have age as much as he did years ago. He was wearing regal attire as opposed to the casual attire he'd normally wear. He was also not using a face mask.
"You seem to have aged well, Mileena." Rain greeted. Mileena mugged him and turned her attention to Kitana.
"Another member of the Traitor's Club. Why am I not surprised?"
"Not everyone that disappeared betrayed you, Mileena." Kitana responded.
"Yet everyone that betrayed me disappeared."
"And this is why you will be staying behind." Kitana searched among the Centaurs guarding the entrance. She points to one that is near the entrance, but in a position that could keep the eyes of the guards away from a potential blind spot near the entrance.
As Kitana pointed to the Centaur, Rain raised his hand into the air. The clouds above began to grow dark. Drops of rain began to descend upon the area. Without hesitation, Rain sends a lightning strike crashing down upon the Centaur. The power of the strike severely burns the centaur and knocks him unconscious instantly. The other four Centaurs guarding the entrance area decide to approach the body of the Centaur.
"That's our cue, Jade. As long as he remains alive, they shouldn't be worried about whether it was an actual attack or a freak of nature. Rain, you and Mileena remain here in case things go south." Kitana responded. She then looks to Mileena.
"I almost forgot." She stated. "Rain could you step away for a minute? Mileena and I need to switch clothes before I enter."
"Su-sure." Rain responded awkwardly as he walked off.
*Inside the Cobalt Mines*
The smell of iron and urine plagued the torture chamber of the Cobalt Mines. The carved faces of many past prisoners decorated the walls of the chamber. Their bones used to craft furniture and tools for the torturers. No form of sunlight reaches the room. Most are lucky to even see light. Tanya was one of the lucky ones.
Tanya was stood battered, scathed, burned, bruised, swollen, her and exhausted atop of a short stool. Her hair was cut drastically shorter being only 2 inches high. She remained in nothing but her bra and panties. She could barely stand to close her mouth as the cut on her bottom lip irritated her. The throbbing infection from insect bites plagued her left arm. Her eyes were as dull as her mother's during her final moments. Her hands were tied behind her back and her feet were chained together. A noose locked around her neck. Although she was struggling for air, unlike her mother she was still breathing.
D'Vorah stood before her smiling heavily. Acidic liquid ran down her finger tips as she playfully drew onto Tanya's stomach. She carved images of insects, Kytinn writings, and even the symbol of the brotherhood of shadows. After each drawing, she would summon small larva around Tanya's wounds to ensure that they would heal and be clean enough for the next drawing. She would do the same to her own fingers as the acid started to penetrate the scales. To her, the pain was worth it if it meant being able to torture Tanya over and over again.
"Twenty-Three days of enduring the pain and yet you still have not begged for your life." D'Vorah complimented. Tanya remained emotionless. "At least this one no longer has to hear that wretched voice of yours."
D'Vorah shook her hands to remove the acid as she prepared to leave the room. She wraps her hand around Tanya's jaw and inspects her eyes. Knowing that she was pretty much broken, D'Vorah removed her grip. She kicks the stool from underneath Tanya, causing her to fall towards the ground. Tanya quickly reacts by standing on her tippy-toes. She struggled to keep her balance, but it was necessary for her to continue this feat as it was the only thing keeping her from being hung. D'Vorah blows out the candles in the room and leaves.
Tanya lowers her head as she reflects on her situation. Tears began to run down her face as she felt her feet starting to give out. Suddenly, she saw light seeping in front of her. The door to the room was opening slowly. Jade and Kitana snuck into the room and slowly closed the door. Jade uses an Earthrealm flashlight to illuminate the room. She points it towards Tanya and looks horrified. Kitana wasted no time cutting the noosed around Tanya's neck with her bladed fan. She quickly caught Tanya before the rest of her body hit the ground.
"What did they do to you?" Kitana whispered. Tanya looked unto her. A slight smile could be seen on her face.
"Ki….ta…." Tanya passed out before she could finish her sentence. Jade looked worried as she examined the wounds on Tanya's body.
"She endured all of this for over 3 weeks?"
"These wounds would be impossible to heal without treatment. Besides, no one leaves the torture room alive." Kitana confirmed. "Whoever did this knew what they were doing."
"Is she going to be alright?" Jade asked. Kitana look to her and smiled.
"When has Tanya ever been alright?" Kitana asked. She slumps Tanya's arms over her shoulders and holds the bottom of her legs to keep her steady while riding onto her back. She nods to Jade to check around the door before leaving.
End of Chapter 6
For those that don't know, I've been kinda sick and my g, h, ', & " buttons were not working on my keyboard. Now that I'm better and have another keyboard, I should be back on track.
(Upcoming—Rescue Pt. 2)