At mid day the bells wrung aloud and the fighters were brought in to eat inside the
great hall. Whenever they came into it, they always seemed to be in a different part,
sometimes the door would be closer, some times it would be further away from them. At
meal times, the table seemed to appear in the middle of the room, a huge great oak thing,
the gargoyles stared down as if they would suddenly pounce down and feast on the meal
provided. Shangtsung was at the head of the table and greeted each of the fighters as they
arrived assorted by one of the red soldiers. Sonja came, Rayden came unescorted, the
same with Scorpion, Kano arrived with a smug grin on his face, and Jonny cage with
sunglasses flashing.
One of the soldiers walked up to the sorcerer and whispered in his ear, only Liu
Kang noticed, the look of puzzlement on the man's face. He looked around, and then
whispered something back and pointed towards the stair case. The soldier bowed and
hurried off into the Shadows. Shangtsung then stood up before the long line of fighters,
and gave a small bow.
"Please eat whatever you desire, I wish to keep you well before your challenges, in
future I won't be joining you at these meals, but do not fear, if any of you need my help I
shall be again in the tallest tower at the end of this hall, please, eat and let this banquet
prepared to us by the servants of the humble Kahn begin"
The hall was warm now, and Liu Kang casting his eyes over the people down the
table noticed the light at the end of the hall. It was sunny outside through the draw bridge.
Looking down the row he noticed someone familiar who he had not noticed before… he
had a red cloth on, that wrapped around him tightly with golden ribbed edges. They left a
gap for the onlooker to see his chest, which was strong, his head bald, and eyes sharp.
Liu Kang had met him before, a black belt round his waist, he was a very powerful
Shaolin monk.
"Hrusa!" he called "is that you?"
The bald headed man looked up quickly with an irritated look "Who the hell are
you?" he replied, pronging his fork down into a piece of chicken. The banquet was
delicious. Strawberries, with excellently prepared meat and stuffing, and some kind of
sweet drink that tasted like nectar.
"I'm Liu Kang!" returned the other looking down passed the table. Shangtsung
looked up quickly, there had been little conversation until now.
"Oh yes, I know you" returned the other with a hearty laugh "Your that fighter I met
in the Wu Shu class! How are your fingers?"
"Better smiled Liu Kang" his voice not as deep as the other, but he felt prepared
now. He remembered the Wu Shu class well, Hrusa had been an expert at the technique,
while Liu Kang had been but a beginner, he could hardly manage two fingers let alone
one.
"How is your technique?" smiled Liu Kang "Are you still excelling?"
Hrusa laughed so loudly that most of the table looked up "I would if I could use less
than one finger, but you see that would be a little difficult"
Shangtsung smiled as warmly as his old face would allow "I'm glad you two have
met each other… I hope your friendship won't disrupt your abilities in the tournament, I
would hate for one of you to make any unnecessary sacrifices"
Hrusa laugthed again with a great boom of sound that echoed down the deep
expanses of the hall "Don't you worry Mr Grand master, Liu Kang and me are like peas
and pies or whatever you foreigners call it, none of us are going to be deeply regretful
over the other if one of us wins"
"I'm glad to hear it" smiled the sorcerer, sticking his fork into a pea "I hope one of
you is prepared to lose, of course you must realize that you can't both challenge me"
"I understand" smiled Liu Kang "It's not the end of the world though, Life goes on,
we won't be unhappy at the other's success"
"Indeed" returned the Sorcerer "But would you be upset at the other's failure? Now
that is the question I think you should both dwell upon"
Hrusa again spoke out loudly, so that his chest went up and down with laughter like
a drum "You sound like the wise men back at Shaolin!" he boomed "Always a wiser
saying than I could think up on a rainy afternoon, If I knew what you meant by it I might
be the wiser for it, but as I am I can only sit by it!"
Several people chuckled including strangely enough Kano. Sonja had her head
rested on the table, and she idly poked the chicken.
"What's wrong?" asked Jonny Cage who sat two spaces down the table. In between
them was a large wrestler, who stuffed his face with the meal available to him.
"Nothing" replied Sonja stroking her hair back "I'm just not hungry" she stared
over at Kano as if his presence was like a bad odor that made the food taste bad. The blue
ninja Subzero who Jonny had met on the beach presently came out from behind a pillar
and walked up to the table.
"Sorry I'm late" he sighed sitting down near the far end of the table where
Shangtsung sat.
"Have no fear" returned Shangtsung turning to the Linquei assassin "there is plenty
of food left, help yourself, I hope that this tournament shall be all of your finest hours,
that's why I shall not be strict if any of you choose to miss a meal time"
"I like your style" grunted Kano ripping the meat off of the chicken leg in his
mouth, he smiled and grinned his red eye flashing "This place is almost paradise, do you
have any rules here?"
Shangtsung's lip curled into a smile and he chuckled a little as if he was an old
man by the fire talking to the young children "Oh yes we do have some rules here… but
most I don't think many of you would know even how to break" he paused and sipped
the sweet liquid out of a large golden chalice his weak old hands almost struggling with
the strain "The only rule you should worry about is no fighting before the challenges,
there will be plenty of room for that later, Reptile and his men will in force this at all
times as some of you may have found out" he glanced briefly at Sonja with a nasty look
before looking back at his meal.
"The loss of one of you before the appropriate time could seriously damage the
reputation and, even sorely the outcome of this great and historic tournament"
The sorcerer didn't speak for awhile and the conversation left his end of the table.
Suddenly a good time later when most of what had been prepared had been drunk, and
the other eaten, he suddenly spoke almost out of context pointing to Hrusa.
"You Hrusa and you Max will be fighting next, Reptile will lead the way"
The conversation stopped like a bad air had been hit. Max was the wrestler in
between Sonja and Jonny who had been stuffing himself with food "Me?" he murmered,
looking over at the Red Shaoling monk. The wrestler's hair was brown and curly, like his
neatly trimmed beard.
"If I may ask" interrupted Liu Kang "Is it ok for other's to watch the match?"
"You dirty rat!" laughed Hrusa smacking the table with a chuckle "Your going to
study my moves aren't you!"
Shangtsung smiled and held his hand out sipping again at the chalice, the audience
waited for him to finish.
"Yes, you may, I see no harm in that" he said "As I said, I like to keep the rules
relaxed"
Hrusa chuckled and eyes Liu Kang and then Shangtsung "I hope I get a chance to
study his moves" he smiled.
"Of course you will" smiled Shangtsung "Don't be over confident though, you
might not even beat Max here" he said shuffling his black robes "Is everybody finished?"
There was a murmur of agreement that passed it's way down the table from one to
the other, seeing his party satisfied with the results the sorcerer Shangtsung stood up
abruptly and whistled to the side of the room. The Soldiers came in and started to clear
away the plates from the large table piece by piece of crockery spoons knives forks.
The party stood up, and someone was heard to murmur "What now?"
"You may all return to your quarters" returned the Sorcerer "Those involved in the
first fight have one hour to prepare"
The table cleared it'self and the people who were now familiarized with their own
apartments headed that way. Some such as Hrusia who was a little shocked at the
abruptness and swiftness of the first challenge needed swift assistance. Rayden eyed
Shangtsung suspiciously and then turned away. The table soon was cleared of people and
cutlery, the table amazingly was lifted by the soldiers who took it in between the pillars
and into the shadows. Shangtsung walked briefly away this time in the opposite direction
of last time, this time he headed to the light from the open door. A soft breeze came from
that direction. Liu Kang came over to him swiftly "Wait!" he called.
The old man turned resting on his stave which strangely had not been noticed at the
dinner table "Yes Liu Kang?" he asked.
"Can you show me the way to the arena? I am not at all used to the vast expanses of
this island, I'd appreciate it if you would help me"
"Of course" returned the black figure, taking his arm round the shoulder of Liu Kang
who felt very uneasy "I would be happy to show you to the arena"
"How do you propose I defeat a ghost?" whispered Subzero to the shadows, in a
distant corridor. It was a large castle and the corridors and passageways walk ways
seemed almost limitless to the expanses. There was so much space. The blue eyes in the
darkness moved and blinked.
"Master Shinnoch wants you to succeed, Subzero, be happy in that… he is not happy
that Kahn should invade another realm, as should you be"
Subzero moved aside, and with slow and growing anger smashed his hand against
the wall, which immediately cracked and dented, a shower of ice freezing the place where
he had attacked at "You didn't answer the question" snapped Subzero turning back.
"Calm down Subzero" said the blue eyes moving in the darkness, blinking and
shifting "All in good time, I shall find you aid to defeat Scorpion, but in return you must
help me free my master from the Neatherealm, the reward will be great"
"Of course" smiled Subzero "As long as he doesn't destroy this realm, a reward's
worth nothing, if it hasn't got anything to rest on"
Noobsaibot smiled from the shadows and spoke in a whisper "Your very wise for a
Linquei agent, I heard they have plans for automation… how do you feel about that?"
Subzero laughed "I don't give a dam what they do, I'm retiring after this job, they
won't have me"
"Aye" whispered Noobsaibot "But they may have your brother, and his friend
Smoke… how would you feel about that?"
Subzero fingered the crack in the wall "Is that a threat?" he chuckled "I don't do
threats, and it isn't a good one, I gave my brother that scar he has across his eye and I'd
gladly give him another one if the chance arose… why the hell did you mention him
anyway?"
"Just testing your weaknesses" returned the Shadow figure "I'll see what I can do"
The figure with a strange hissing noise sank into the ground and the twin blue eyes
disappeared into the shadowy depths. Subzero looked on for a moment, and then in anger
punched the wall again, a shower of ice and water vapor hissing out.
Shangtsung lead the way across the draw bridge, he took his arm gently away from
the Shaolin monk and he felt a lot better. Steam rose up gently from the dark Abyss under
the drawbridge as they took a pretty woodland path down towards the Arena, that
Shangtsung knew the where abouts of.
"Have you run this tournament long?" asked Liu Kang absently. He noticed the
same red soldiers, seeming to come out of nowhere. They followed, and even appeared
out of the trees, soon there was quite a few of them heading in the same direction, like
cattle on the move to better waters.
"Indeed a very long time" returned the Sorcerer "Longer than you've been alive I
expect, why did you decide to enter my tournament?"
Liu Kang shrugged his shoulders keeping his eyes on the surrounding red soldiers.
They turned a bend in the road that was steeper and on of the soldiers almost lost his
footing on a tree root. No one helped him gain his balance.
"The people who used to own this tournament are good friends of mine" he smiled
"They have done me many favors, their instructor Bo Rai Cho taught me how to wield
fire through Chi, I wish to return the tournament to his linage"
"A worthy cause" returned the Sorcerer "But I hope you realize that the tournament
has changed somewhat since the old days, under my rules, the rules if you like have
become slightly more relaxed, if you like the battles have become much more expanded
in their styles"
The arena came up ahead in front of them and Liu Kang saw below as the low trees
parted, with their wonderful blossom and dessert flowers. The soil became more sandy as
they came closer to the sea. From what Liu Kang could see of it, the arena was simply a
large space of sand separated by a tall wooden fence that was as tall as two Goros,
pointed stakes lined the sky. The soldiers suddenly spread out as if they were at one with
each other and got to work at preparing the arena.
Most of the work had already been done, but there must still have been the oblivious
odd job to complete, Shangtsung took no notice of the soldiers as if all this was quite
normal. They continued towards the arena at a normal pace. Several of the soldiers using
long sheets of bendy bamboo pole vaulted the fence. As Shangtsung approached the great
wall of logs, there was a grinding noise inside and a huge gate opened with a metal
spiked bottom. The sandy expanses within were revealed.
Rayden scurried across the corridors "where is it?" he spat a flicker of electricity
lighting the darkness. He glanced across the ally ways and path ways trying to find what
he was looking for "Where will that fool keep the portal?"
The hat straightened his direction and he turned another corner, always looking out
for a place in the darkness. The castle was huge, and even to his senses seemed
confusing, he felt always like he was going in circles. Reptile would be busy with the
fight and wouldn't notice that he had gotten away, the thunder god wanted to know where
that swirling mirage of colors was kept.
He turned a corner and a dark steps lead down into a dungeon, he looked down into
the depths, a few candles lighting the dark walls.
"Are you going somewheresss?" whispered a voice behind him. The thunder man
gave an impatient sigh and his hat turned him slowly around. Reptile stood there his arms
crossed.
"This place is outs of boundsss to the challengersss" hissed the reptilian voice from
under that same green mask "You sees, it's dangerous down there, that's where masters
keeps the beasts"
"Oh really?" mocked Rayden "I didn't realize you'd escaped him"
Reptile missed the insult and turned back the way the spark had come from "Follow
me, I will show you the way back to your rooms I wills"
Jarek looked more ragged now, as he crept up towards the arena, he took a look round
the spike ridden door, but before he could enter it slammed shut. He saw two fighters in
side preparing to duel "Dam it" he muttered "I just hope Kano ain't in there"
He looked down with a fright and quickly dodged out of the way as a small Scorpion
dodged through the sand and entered through a gap under the wooden stumps, the large
electricity of crowd applause, racketed inside the arena. He tried to look in through the
gap, but he could hardly see a thing.
With a grunt he turned away and walked around the other side, he found a tall tree,
with sickly pointed branches and few leaves, he started to climb it, putting his large knife
in his mouth. He felt the sharp edges bite into his cheek. The wooden stumps pointed up
into the air, and below he could see the crowd within. He hid himself carefully between
the leaves so as not to be seen. He needed to know what this tournament was about.
Liu Kang was seated as the two fighters came out, he had seen the red soldiers
preparing over and over again. Inside the two fighters squared off in front of each other,
and shook hands. As he looked across he noticed the Sorcerer in the large box frown. It
was a decorated and ornately calved one raised up above the audience of red soldiers.
Max shook hands tightly and cracked his knuckles, he was larger than the other shaolin
monk, but that didn't matter in battles like these.
As Liu Kang began to survey the arena he noticed there was something very strange,
about the circumstances. There appeared to be strange patterns in the sand, and
something of a grilled metal surface around the edge. The structure smelled of a heat
baked ground and freshly shaven and cut wood, he could see wood chippings in the
corners of every three space. But the metal structures would have taken a lot longer to
manufacture, if that was indeed what they were.
The two fighters had received no book of rules on what they were supposed to do, so
they just looked up at Shangtsung for a long while, waiting for a sign. Hrusa muttered
something to his challenger, but the conversation was lost to Liu Kang over the din of the
noise, there was something very primeval about the circumstances. Another thing he
noticed about the tournament, was the lack of a medical team by the sides. In the past Liu
Kang had entered various steet fights in the city, and that had always some preparation
even in the cheapest hosts.
However this, the grand mortal kombat, with all the displays of luxury so far had no
signs of such preparations, Liu Kang frowned, what on earth did the sorcerer think he
was doing. The audience of red soldiers quieted for a moment as eyes went to
Shangtsung, there was still the sound of talking and cheering but it was all inaudible to
the monk Liu Kang. The sorcerer looked up expectantly "Here begins mortal kombat" he
chuckled "The last mortal kombat, are you both prepared?"
Hrusa looked at his large opponent and nodded, Max nodded back. Shangtsung
smiled, yet there was something strange in this smile, a grin almost, something evil or
unseen about it. He lifted a hand "Fight" he said with an expectant look and the words
seem to echo round the arena.
The cheering started up again and the two opponents faced each other off, Max held
his hands far to the sides, ready to crush his opponent on his muscular surface. Seeing
Hrusa in action Liu Kang realized that he had improved since the last time they had met,
he was still a big man, and Liu Kang felt a little clumsy in some aspects of his style, but
certainly he seemed more powerful. His hands whirled back in a neutral stance, and he
prepared to take the wrestler down.
They looked at each other for a second, and then for two, and then suddenly they
both leapt forward with the rage of battle in their eyes.
great hall. Whenever they came into it, they always seemed to be in a different part,
sometimes the door would be closer, some times it would be further away from them. At
meal times, the table seemed to appear in the middle of the room, a huge great oak thing,
the gargoyles stared down as if they would suddenly pounce down and feast on the meal
provided. Shangtsung was at the head of the table and greeted each of the fighters as they
arrived assorted by one of the red soldiers. Sonja came, Rayden came unescorted, the
same with Scorpion, Kano arrived with a smug grin on his face, and Jonny cage with
sunglasses flashing.
One of the soldiers walked up to the sorcerer and whispered in his ear, only Liu
Kang noticed, the look of puzzlement on the man's face. He looked around, and then
whispered something back and pointed towards the stair case. The soldier bowed and
hurried off into the Shadows. Shangtsung then stood up before the long line of fighters,
and gave a small bow.
"Please eat whatever you desire, I wish to keep you well before your challenges, in
future I won't be joining you at these meals, but do not fear, if any of you need my help I
shall be again in the tallest tower at the end of this hall, please, eat and let this banquet
prepared to us by the servants of the humble Kahn begin"
The hall was warm now, and Liu Kang casting his eyes over the people down the
table noticed the light at the end of the hall. It was sunny outside through the draw bridge.
Looking down the row he noticed someone familiar who he had not noticed before… he
had a red cloth on, that wrapped around him tightly with golden ribbed edges. They left a
gap for the onlooker to see his chest, which was strong, his head bald, and eyes sharp.
Liu Kang had met him before, a black belt round his waist, he was a very powerful
Shaolin monk.
"Hrusa!" he called "is that you?"
The bald headed man looked up quickly with an irritated look "Who the hell are
you?" he replied, pronging his fork down into a piece of chicken. The banquet was
delicious. Strawberries, with excellently prepared meat and stuffing, and some kind of
sweet drink that tasted like nectar.
"I'm Liu Kang!" returned the other looking down passed the table. Shangtsung
looked up quickly, there had been little conversation until now.
"Oh yes, I know you" returned the other with a hearty laugh "Your that fighter I met
in the Wu Shu class! How are your fingers?"
"Better smiled Liu Kang" his voice not as deep as the other, but he felt prepared
now. He remembered the Wu Shu class well, Hrusa had been an expert at the technique,
while Liu Kang had been but a beginner, he could hardly manage two fingers let alone
one.
"How is your technique?" smiled Liu Kang "Are you still excelling?"
Hrusa laughed so loudly that most of the table looked up "I would if I could use less
than one finger, but you see that would be a little difficult"
Shangtsung smiled as warmly as his old face would allow "I'm glad you two have
met each other… I hope your friendship won't disrupt your abilities in the tournament, I
would hate for one of you to make any unnecessary sacrifices"
Hrusa laugthed again with a great boom of sound that echoed down the deep
expanses of the hall "Don't you worry Mr Grand master, Liu Kang and me are like peas
and pies or whatever you foreigners call it, none of us are going to be deeply regretful
over the other if one of us wins"
"I'm glad to hear it" smiled the sorcerer, sticking his fork into a pea "I hope one of
you is prepared to lose, of course you must realize that you can't both challenge me"
"I understand" smiled Liu Kang "It's not the end of the world though, Life goes on,
we won't be unhappy at the other's success"
"Indeed" returned the Sorcerer "But would you be upset at the other's failure? Now
that is the question I think you should both dwell upon"
Hrusa again spoke out loudly, so that his chest went up and down with laughter like
a drum "You sound like the wise men back at Shaolin!" he boomed "Always a wiser
saying than I could think up on a rainy afternoon, If I knew what you meant by it I might
be the wiser for it, but as I am I can only sit by it!"
Several people chuckled including strangely enough Kano. Sonja had her head
rested on the table, and she idly poked the chicken.
"What's wrong?" asked Jonny Cage who sat two spaces down the table. In between
them was a large wrestler, who stuffed his face with the meal available to him.
"Nothing" replied Sonja stroking her hair back "I'm just not hungry" she stared
over at Kano as if his presence was like a bad odor that made the food taste bad. The blue
ninja Subzero who Jonny had met on the beach presently came out from behind a pillar
and walked up to the table.
"Sorry I'm late" he sighed sitting down near the far end of the table where
Shangtsung sat.
"Have no fear" returned Shangtsung turning to the Linquei assassin "there is plenty
of food left, help yourself, I hope that this tournament shall be all of your finest hours,
that's why I shall not be strict if any of you choose to miss a meal time"
"I like your style" grunted Kano ripping the meat off of the chicken leg in his
mouth, he smiled and grinned his red eye flashing "This place is almost paradise, do you
have any rules here?"
Shangtsung's lip curled into a smile and he chuckled a little as if he was an old
man by the fire talking to the young children "Oh yes we do have some rules here… but
most I don't think many of you would know even how to break" he paused and sipped
the sweet liquid out of a large golden chalice his weak old hands almost struggling with
the strain "The only rule you should worry about is no fighting before the challenges,
there will be plenty of room for that later, Reptile and his men will in force this at all
times as some of you may have found out" he glanced briefly at Sonja with a nasty look
before looking back at his meal.
"The loss of one of you before the appropriate time could seriously damage the
reputation and, even sorely the outcome of this great and historic tournament"
The sorcerer didn't speak for awhile and the conversation left his end of the table.
Suddenly a good time later when most of what had been prepared had been drunk, and
the other eaten, he suddenly spoke almost out of context pointing to Hrusa.
"You Hrusa and you Max will be fighting next, Reptile will lead the way"
The conversation stopped like a bad air had been hit. Max was the wrestler in
between Sonja and Jonny who had been stuffing himself with food "Me?" he murmered,
looking over at the Red Shaoling monk. The wrestler's hair was brown and curly, like his
neatly trimmed beard.
"If I may ask" interrupted Liu Kang "Is it ok for other's to watch the match?"
"You dirty rat!" laughed Hrusa smacking the table with a chuckle "Your going to
study my moves aren't you!"
Shangtsung smiled and held his hand out sipping again at the chalice, the audience
waited for him to finish.
"Yes, you may, I see no harm in that" he said "As I said, I like to keep the rules
relaxed"
Hrusa chuckled and eyes Liu Kang and then Shangtsung "I hope I get a chance to
study his moves" he smiled.
"Of course you will" smiled Shangtsung "Don't be over confident though, you
might not even beat Max here" he said shuffling his black robes "Is everybody finished?"
There was a murmur of agreement that passed it's way down the table from one to
the other, seeing his party satisfied with the results the sorcerer Shangtsung stood up
abruptly and whistled to the side of the room. The Soldiers came in and started to clear
away the plates from the large table piece by piece of crockery spoons knives forks.
The party stood up, and someone was heard to murmur "What now?"
"You may all return to your quarters" returned the Sorcerer "Those involved in the
first fight have one hour to prepare"
The table cleared it'self and the people who were now familiarized with their own
apartments headed that way. Some such as Hrusia who was a little shocked at the
abruptness and swiftness of the first challenge needed swift assistance. Rayden eyed
Shangtsung suspiciously and then turned away. The table soon was cleared of people and
cutlery, the table amazingly was lifted by the soldiers who took it in between the pillars
and into the shadows. Shangtsung walked briefly away this time in the opposite direction
of last time, this time he headed to the light from the open door. A soft breeze came from
that direction. Liu Kang came over to him swiftly "Wait!" he called.
The old man turned resting on his stave which strangely had not been noticed at the
dinner table "Yes Liu Kang?" he asked.
"Can you show me the way to the arena? I am not at all used to the vast expanses of
this island, I'd appreciate it if you would help me"
"Of course" returned the black figure, taking his arm round the shoulder of Liu Kang
who felt very uneasy "I would be happy to show you to the arena"
"How do you propose I defeat a ghost?" whispered Subzero to the shadows, in a
distant corridor. It was a large castle and the corridors and passageways walk ways
seemed almost limitless to the expanses. There was so much space. The blue eyes in the
darkness moved and blinked.
"Master Shinnoch wants you to succeed, Subzero, be happy in that… he is not happy
that Kahn should invade another realm, as should you be"
Subzero moved aside, and with slow and growing anger smashed his hand against
the wall, which immediately cracked and dented, a shower of ice freezing the place where
he had attacked at "You didn't answer the question" snapped Subzero turning back.
"Calm down Subzero" said the blue eyes moving in the darkness, blinking and
shifting "All in good time, I shall find you aid to defeat Scorpion, but in return you must
help me free my master from the Neatherealm, the reward will be great"
"Of course" smiled Subzero "As long as he doesn't destroy this realm, a reward's
worth nothing, if it hasn't got anything to rest on"
Noobsaibot smiled from the shadows and spoke in a whisper "Your very wise for a
Linquei agent, I heard they have plans for automation… how do you feel about that?"
Subzero laughed "I don't give a dam what they do, I'm retiring after this job, they
won't have me"
"Aye" whispered Noobsaibot "But they may have your brother, and his friend
Smoke… how would you feel about that?"
Subzero fingered the crack in the wall "Is that a threat?" he chuckled "I don't do
threats, and it isn't a good one, I gave my brother that scar he has across his eye and I'd
gladly give him another one if the chance arose… why the hell did you mention him
anyway?"
"Just testing your weaknesses" returned the Shadow figure "I'll see what I can do"
The figure with a strange hissing noise sank into the ground and the twin blue eyes
disappeared into the shadowy depths. Subzero looked on for a moment, and then in anger
punched the wall again, a shower of ice and water vapor hissing out.
Shangtsung lead the way across the draw bridge, he took his arm gently away from
the Shaolin monk and he felt a lot better. Steam rose up gently from the dark Abyss under
the drawbridge as they took a pretty woodland path down towards the Arena, that
Shangtsung knew the where abouts of.
"Have you run this tournament long?" asked Liu Kang absently. He noticed the
same red soldiers, seeming to come out of nowhere. They followed, and even appeared
out of the trees, soon there was quite a few of them heading in the same direction, like
cattle on the move to better waters.
"Indeed a very long time" returned the Sorcerer "Longer than you've been alive I
expect, why did you decide to enter my tournament?"
Liu Kang shrugged his shoulders keeping his eyes on the surrounding red soldiers.
They turned a bend in the road that was steeper and on of the soldiers almost lost his
footing on a tree root. No one helped him gain his balance.
"The people who used to own this tournament are good friends of mine" he smiled
"They have done me many favors, their instructor Bo Rai Cho taught me how to wield
fire through Chi, I wish to return the tournament to his linage"
"A worthy cause" returned the Sorcerer "But I hope you realize that the tournament
has changed somewhat since the old days, under my rules, the rules if you like have
become slightly more relaxed, if you like the battles have become much more expanded
in their styles"
The arena came up ahead in front of them and Liu Kang saw below as the low trees
parted, with their wonderful blossom and dessert flowers. The soil became more sandy as
they came closer to the sea. From what Liu Kang could see of it, the arena was simply a
large space of sand separated by a tall wooden fence that was as tall as two Goros,
pointed stakes lined the sky. The soldiers suddenly spread out as if they were at one with
each other and got to work at preparing the arena.
Most of the work had already been done, but there must still have been the oblivious
odd job to complete, Shangtsung took no notice of the soldiers as if all this was quite
normal. They continued towards the arena at a normal pace. Several of the soldiers using
long sheets of bendy bamboo pole vaulted the fence. As Shangtsung approached the great
wall of logs, there was a grinding noise inside and a huge gate opened with a metal
spiked bottom. The sandy expanses within were revealed.
Rayden scurried across the corridors "where is it?" he spat a flicker of electricity
lighting the darkness. He glanced across the ally ways and path ways trying to find what
he was looking for "Where will that fool keep the portal?"
The hat straightened his direction and he turned another corner, always looking out
for a place in the darkness. The castle was huge, and even to his senses seemed
confusing, he felt always like he was going in circles. Reptile would be busy with the
fight and wouldn't notice that he had gotten away, the thunder god wanted to know where
that swirling mirage of colors was kept.
He turned a corner and a dark steps lead down into a dungeon, he looked down into
the depths, a few candles lighting the dark walls.
"Are you going somewheresss?" whispered a voice behind him. The thunder man
gave an impatient sigh and his hat turned him slowly around. Reptile stood there his arms
crossed.
"This place is outs of boundsss to the challengersss" hissed the reptilian voice from
under that same green mask "You sees, it's dangerous down there, that's where masters
keeps the beasts"
"Oh really?" mocked Rayden "I didn't realize you'd escaped him"
Reptile missed the insult and turned back the way the spark had come from "Follow
me, I will show you the way back to your rooms I wills"
Jarek looked more ragged now, as he crept up towards the arena, he took a look round
the spike ridden door, but before he could enter it slammed shut. He saw two fighters in
side preparing to duel "Dam it" he muttered "I just hope Kano ain't in there"
He looked down with a fright and quickly dodged out of the way as a small Scorpion
dodged through the sand and entered through a gap under the wooden stumps, the large
electricity of crowd applause, racketed inside the arena. He tried to look in through the
gap, but he could hardly see a thing.
With a grunt he turned away and walked around the other side, he found a tall tree,
with sickly pointed branches and few leaves, he started to climb it, putting his large knife
in his mouth. He felt the sharp edges bite into his cheek. The wooden stumps pointed up
into the air, and below he could see the crowd within. He hid himself carefully between
the leaves so as not to be seen. He needed to know what this tournament was about.
Liu Kang was seated as the two fighters came out, he had seen the red soldiers
preparing over and over again. Inside the two fighters squared off in front of each other,
and shook hands. As he looked across he noticed the Sorcerer in the large box frown. It
was a decorated and ornately calved one raised up above the audience of red soldiers.
Max shook hands tightly and cracked his knuckles, he was larger than the other shaolin
monk, but that didn't matter in battles like these.
As Liu Kang began to survey the arena he noticed there was something very strange,
about the circumstances. There appeared to be strange patterns in the sand, and
something of a grilled metal surface around the edge. The structure smelled of a heat
baked ground and freshly shaven and cut wood, he could see wood chippings in the
corners of every three space. But the metal structures would have taken a lot longer to
manufacture, if that was indeed what they were.
The two fighters had received no book of rules on what they were supposed to do, so
they just looked up at Shangtsung for a long while, waiting for a sign. Hrusa muttered
something to his challenger, but the conversation was lost to Liu Kang over the din of the
noise, there was something very primeval about the circumstances. Another thing he
noticed about the tournament, was the lack of a medical team by the sides. In the past Liu
Kang had entered various steet fights in the city, and that had always some preparation
even in the cheapest hosts.
However this, the grand mortal kombat, with all the displays of luxury so far had no
signs of such preparations, Liu Kang frowned, what on earth did the sorcerer think he
was doing. The audience of red soldiers quieted for a moment as eyes went to
Shangtsung, there was still the sound of talking and cheering but it was all inaudible to
the monk Liu Kang. The sorcerer looked up expectantly "Here begins mortal kombat" he
chuckled "The last mortal kombat, are you both prepared?"
Hrusa looked at his large opponent and nodded, Max nodded back. Shangtsung
smiled, yet there was something strange in this smile, a grin almost, something evil or
unseen about it. He lifted a hand "Fight" he said with an expectant look and the words
seem to echo round the arena.
The cheering started up again and the two opponents faced each other off, Max held
his hands far to the sides, ready to crush his opponent on his muscular surface. Seeing
Hrusa in action Liu Kang realized that he had improved since the last time they had met,
he was still a big man, and Liu Kang felt a little clumsy in some aspects of his style, but
certainly he seemed more powerful. His hands whirled back in a neutral stance, and he
prepared to take the wrestler down.
They looked at each other for a second, and then for two, and then suddenly they
both leapt forward with the rage of battle in their eyes.