Chapter11: The Urn of Strength
Subzero appeared in a round circular metalic room. A soldier turned towards him suddenly and pointed a spear forward "You!" it shouted "What are you doing here!"
The armor was purple, and the spear looked strange with some kind of gem at the end. The other end was sharp so presumably he should have held it the other way up? The eyes were red and the face black skinned with a deeply red mouth when it opened like a rabied dog in water.
"I've been sent by Noobsaibot to visit Nazdrak the prison warder"
The soldier squinted at him "Nazdrak doesn't take visits from people who are not Oni's. And Noobsaibot would not have sent a mortal to see him either, now what are you going here!"
"If you don't believe me" replied Subzero coldly "Then Noobsaibot sais he's going to find you, take you back to his castle whoever the person is... and torture them for eternity"
The guard backed off a moment but then set his spear forward again. He squinted at Subzero looking him up and down slowly "I know who you are..." he murmered dangerously after pause "You're Subzero, the one Quan chi hired... you're not supposed to be here get out!" he cringed in pain a moment as a needle punctured his shoulder "My eyes! What did you do to my eyes!" he shouted the voice seemed strange as if under a sythasiser or being played through a piece of machinary. Pointing the spear forward in the wrong direction a green bolt shot out and exploded against the wall.
Swiftly Subzero dodged ran forward hopping lightly through the air he kicked the soldier twice in mid air knocking him and his weapon to the ground.
"My eyes!" he screemed and lying on the floor he began to convulse suddenly shudering from side to side. Stepping on his stomach Subzero pulled the dart out and stepped back quickly. The mouth started to foam and blood started pouring down the arms and out of his shoes. He panted raspingly shaking from side to side with moans and cries of pain. His stomach rose slowly but tremendously in height. He crooked his head from side to side the eyes rolling. Subzero backflipped away and crouched against the metalic wall. The soldier exploded like a bubble of tomato juice, the metalic armor pried apart like a blown up tincan the messy interior was left with ribs and bits of bones sticking out of the burned flesh giving the room a fleshy toxic smell. Subzero almost puked, ducking round the body he opened the door with both hands trying not to breath in the air and exited to the high platforms of the prison.
The door closed softly behind him with a metalic hiss and again he felt what it was like to be so high up in the air, he tried to forget as best as he could what had just happened. Evidently Noobsaibot hadn't been kidding when he had said "Death Needles". They did more than that, they should have been called combustion needles or "obliteration needles". Death was an understatement, what these things did to people, was painful scary disgusting and a slow horrid death. Looking at then at the one he held in his hands he shuddered. Should he really use these things? These were demons after all, and he was using demonic weapons against their own... but did anything deserve to be put through such a demise?
However he realised that he had no choice, what else could he use to inflict damage upon enemies not counting his powers over ice? He had the two Lin kuei shurikens left, but he couldn't rely just on that and his own talent. His icy powers were noisy, he'd have to keep on using these demonic needles until he found something better. But was there anything better? Unless of of cource the Urn of strength was all it was cracked up to be.
In front of him hammers slammed much closer to him this time than before, yet there was nobody arround. The Brothers of the shadow must have been in a meeting or something, or had been called to another part of the complex. How could he tell what went on in the minds of demons? Noobsaibot had proved him wrong in his suspiciens that all demons lived for destruction alone. Their forms varied and it seemed some could change at will like Shinnoch himself.
At least now he thought his objectives at least were simple, all he had to do was find this Urn of strength and escape with it to the statue of Shinnoch. The only problem was the hammers. The ground trembled more as he got closer and boy were those hammers big. They were based on platforms to his left and right that he couldn't reach unless he jumped across. Or of cource he could try the desperate ice slide through air that he had tried on the water god. But he had no intention of getting to the hammer's base so he didn't bother, the idea was getting passed the hammers.
He stood a meter away and watched as the huge hammer slammed down on the platform where he would have to pass underneath. Everytime it hit the floor he felt the vibration on the platform beneath him. The Hammer was taller than he was, wider than he was and abolutely solid stone or whatever strange matirial it was made out of. It wouldn't just crush him or wound him, it would completely and utterly kill him. It would flatten him like a pan cake. The other danger was that he had to make sure he didn't run passed one hammer to be squashed by another one.
"Just like in the earth temple" he whispered quietly to himself, he rubbed his hands together in readiness. The hammer came down and as it rose he hopped forward and stood still as the second one crashed down in front of him. It filled him with fear, it was almost right next to his face. It arose slowly and he hopped forward again to meet another coming down. He stopped dead still watching the stone that remained stationary on the platform in front of him. It rose like the others and he jumpped forward with no more hammers to go. He heard the crash behind him as the ones he had passed under landed one by one. He had gotten past yet another hazard he beamed inwardly that he was still alive. He wondered grimly whether the brothers of the shadow also took this route through the hammers? Did they have a tactic? Or more importatly did they have a way to switch the hammers off? If they couldn't turn them on and had to pass through this way often, Subzero wondered how many casualties they received among their numbers.
It might explain the absence of their numbers at least. So far he had only encountered one whom he had killed in an extremely nasty fashion.
The platform up ahead was empty. It went streight on past large water cooling buildings. He felt strong and confident from getting through the hammers and decided to run. There were no hammers here; no nothing. No dangers for a long way into the distance. He could see more hammers slamming down far off, but it would take him ahwile to reach them. The buildings were passing him by from both sides when suddenly he noticed something strange. An unusually large shadow was coming out of the building to his left and worryingly at that moment he was running through it.
He took a powerful blow to the back and slumpped to the ground. A voice above laughed with an electronic tinge to it. It was deep like the sound of moving pistons and steel. He moved his head round to gaze upon the creature. A circular saw attached to the right hand, huge metalic body and a head piece that was shaped in resemblance to a skull. Wires were plugged here and there, this was Nazdrak, yet already it seemed he had lost as Noobsaibot had said he might. Two soldiers came out of the shadows they looked down through red bloody eyes down on Subzero. They poked him with the butt end of their spears and he cowered on the ground in defeat, the blood rushing to his head he lost conciousness. The blow had hit him much harder than he had thought. The pain spread down his back and the rest of his body as they took him away. In all likely events, to his demise.
When Subzero finnaly awoke he was in virtually complete darkness. The orange sky outside came in through those same linear square windows that he now asociated with the Neatheralm like cutlery to a table. He felt his back up and down. There should have been a huge bruise but instead there was nothing. Something or other had healed him while he slept, there was no longer any pain. Evidently they wanted him for questioning. He checked his clothing. He was still wearing the blue silk cotume, the black line went down his torso like a tie as it always had done. The padding was seperated by small black lines, and his wrist guards were still intact.
Feeling into the pockets of his clothes, he found the death needles. The bag was still in place, and he also found the blue card he had received from first the unnamed demon and then Noobsaibot himself. He almost laugthed out loud. They were idiots, they had left him with all of his weapons intact, with his hands untied and still potent with icy power, they had healed him and now he was ready as ever to escape. It seemed ludicrous that they could possibly have been so insanely stupid.
"Escape is futile" laughed a voice in the darkness. Turning he saw a shape in the far corner of the room. A man human in shape stood with a strange red hat, his face was pale like Quan chi's as if all the life had been sucked out of it. Yet the voice was different and the clothing as well suggested of other roots.
"Who are you?" demmanded Subzero advancing forward on his roomate.
"A lost soul" replied the voice. Subzero groaned standing still he turned around and walking over to the metalic door he rested his hands on the door and sighed deeply "Where would you escape to?" continued the old man "If you are here then you must belong here... rejected from your own realm no doubt"
"I wasn't rejected" wheezed Subzero leaning both hands forward he gazed at the metalic floor wondering what the heck he was supposed to be doing with his life "I was sent here"
"No matter" chuckled the old man leaning back into the darkness like a animal on the hunt "Rejected or sent, you couldn't exist here unless your soul contained the impurities of evil"
"Haven't you ever tried to escape old man?" asked Subzero slowly gazing at the door. He turned to the shape in the darkness and waited for the answer.
"Escape?" taunted the man amused "Oh I'll be leaving this realm shortly... but first I must play Raiden's game"
"You know Raiden!" said Subzero turning to face him with a gasp. But there was nothing there, only darkness. The man had completely dissapered whoever he was. Probably some kind of strange Oni journying across the Neatherealm, enjoying taunting prisoners. Subzero himself had no clue who it had been and right now he didn't really care either. He grunted and came slowly up to the door still pessemistic of his surival in this place. Yet he felt bolstered by the old man who had given him anger. He'd show that Oni that he wasn't just any old mortal.
Like the one he had opened when he had first entered the Neatherealm, this door was also bent in the middle. It rose out away from him and then bending its metal plating moved towards him and up to the diagonal roof.
These were evidently some kind of holding cells where prisoners could be left to rot, or wait expecting their tortures. For some reason they hadn't killed him, which meant that they probably knew who he was, that or the curiosity of seeing a mortal in amongst their own kind had confused them somehow. Had they found the dead brother of the shadow? And if they had would they have really cared anyway? This was hell after all, these beings had no mercy. If something died, then it was either dead or it would have the strength of will to return again to life. What did it matter to them whether one minion died horribly and painfully at the hands of an assassin? If they'd had the chance they probably would have stayed and watched, thus was their hellish philosophy. There is no pleasure in hell that does not bare a price, it must be taken at the cost of others...
He placed his hands on the metalic door and waited. It did not open, he banged his hands on the door and still nothing happened "Shut up you wretch!" ,roared a voice from outside "Or face my wrath"
Subzero stopped remaining silent he looked the door up and down. He gazed round the room, this was the only exit and entrance. He could of cource wait until one of the guards came in to collect or torture him... but that guard would most likely in all events be Nazdrak himself as he Subzero would be classed as such a high priority. Fighting Nazdrak in this room didn't seem like a good idea, as it was close and claustraphobic, and also Nazdrak would expect to find him here. It wouldn't be long he pondered that Quan chi would find out about his existance in the Neatherealm. This he feared more than anything else, if this happened then the Bridge of Imortality could be barricaded or worse. It was only a matter of time before Nazdrak figured out who and what he was, and then he'd send off a message to Quan chi and the game would likely be up.
Searching around the sides of the door he found a computer similar to the one he had found on the yellow elevator. As before it had a key card slot hole to it. He checked his pockets. Withdrawing the blue card he looked at the computer slowly before swiping. The computer clicked, and green code went up the sides...
The guard watched out across the horizon. The hammers crashed down in the distance smashing against the platforms. He could see others of his kind and in the distance, small winged fiends fluttered across the sky slowly like seagulls. Moans and screams sounded out in the distance as all over hell lost souls and the dammed were tortured. The guard took some pleasure out of this gazing out with red blood shot eyes. It was so marvelous, so much pain... so much misery.
He couldn't wait to see what they did to the prisoner in the cell behind him. They had brought him in, a mortal in amongst their own prison, amongst their own ranks. Never before had anyone gotten in past security without being caught, certainly not a mortal. Yet he'd seen mortals before in the prison of souls. They were always the most highly guarded; because they had entered the Neatherealm of their own accord or someone elses actions during their life times. They lasted a lot longer through the intense torture sessions. It filled him with satisfaction to see something so full of life dwindle and die, to see the soul come out of the body to be tortured again and again for eternity. To see the hope in their eyes flicker and decay. His thoughts were crushed a moment as a noise behind him startled him and he looked round. The metal door had opened sliding aside the darkness inside loomed out like a curtain.
He peered in just outside of the doorway, clutching the black gun in his hands. It was a large cylindrical thing much like a bazooka. It was designed to take down spirits and demons, but its destructive explosive nature would take out this mortal easy enough. What should he do? Should he call for help or destroy the mortal? If he destroyed it would he be in trouble? No, Nazrak surely would enjoy the news that the mortal had died in his cell than hear that he had escaped. Also it would save him the bother of imforming Quan chi of the mortals existance. Shinnoch himself would be very displeased to learn that a mortal had entered the prison without being detected, so why bother telling them? He himself could remove the problem and earn the favour of his superiors. He entered cautiously looking about him across the dark metalic walls. An orange glow came in from the square window and caught his purple armor glimmering it in the darkness.
He stopped in the centre of the room warily his blood red eyes picking up everything arround him. The room was dark, and he couldn't see a thing. The mortal was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone? Suddenly he felt a pain in his shoulder and his vision faded with imense pain from light to black. He cried out in pain his voice with that strange sythesiser like sound echoing round the room, he clutched his shoulder. Taking the gun in his hands he fired round the room in all directions. Explosions reared out as the pain inside of him intenseified. He could feel something metal embedded in his shoulder but couldn't see what it was, and from that point he felt the pain extending out into his own body.
He colapsed to the floor dropping the gun with great spasms, and finnaly with a last drawing breath just as the other had, he exploded pieces of flesh flying in all directions. Smoke and fire were round the edges of the room and Subzero cougthed as the smoke reached his nostrils. Dropping from the chains above that were attached to the ceiling he landed with easy feet in a pool of blood. It splashed out arround him as he walked passed the smoky carcase. The needle was disgusting, it was the same one he had used on the other guard, yet still it was intact. Grudgingly he remembered what they were: Death needles. They were probably the only set in the whole of hell. A present from Shinnoch to Noobsaibot. Bending down he picked it carefully out of a lump of brain and shoulder blade, cougthing on the fumes he wiped it off on the ground and ran out holding it with two fingers.
Placing the needle on the ground outside he took a deep breath and ran back inside again. The smoke issued out of the metalic building like a fog and when he came out carrying the gun, it had slighltly blackend his face and costume, so that in a strange way he slightly resembled Smoke.
He wiped the needle off as best as he could on the stone walkway and deposited it back in its place. The needle stank and he could smell it even when he had put it away, but he just had to retreave the thing. He'd never seen a throwing weapon so deadly in all his life. The poison that was used in the thing was incredible. It was death to anyone it wounded. Holding the black gun in both hands he continued on his path through the prison of souls. This time he was more wary of enemies creeping out at him from the shadows. It was the way Scorpion had tried to use on him to gain the advantage and it had very nearly worked as well. It was the way monks had attacked him in the temple and it was the way Nazdrak himself had taken him out. How could a machine almost twice as tall as he was with circular saw possibly out steal a Lin kuei assassin such as himself? He presumed the Oni must have turned the saw off, and the rest was just up to waiting. But how had it known he was passing that way?
The Neatherealm was a confusing place. Never the less he would be ready for Nazdrak this time, and plus he had a weapon. The Urn itself would presumably be on the highest level of the prison. That would be his priority search anyway. Searchlights were moving across some of the platforms, but they were easy to bypass. He hopped easily behind and inbetween the glowing lights yet he could see no soldiers to contend with. Where had they all gone to?
Suddenly it hit him... what if they had been called into the Fortress? Didn't it seem likely in all events that that's what Quan chi or Shinnoch would order? Presumably Quan chi wanted nothing to interfere with the process. But what Subzero didn't understand is why it had taken Quan chi so long to return the amulet to Shinnoch. He must have had his reasons... maybe he was also being devious as well in some way against his own god? Subzero wouldn't put it passed that "pale faced rat".
Coming to a large metalic building he stopped still in his tracks. He could hear a noise from inside. There were voices speaking, one in anger one in contained fury.
"Let me passed ... I cannot stand it anymore" roared the voice, electronically sounded it had a buzz to every sylable "Get out of my way"
"If you have a problem with the King of darkness then you should speak to him yourself" ,replied the other "You are not aloud to touch the Urn, it is the property of Lord Shinnoch"
"I don't care who's property it is" returned the other, the sound of a buzzing saw sounded. Subzero pressing his hands on the door waited until it opened. They were in a circular dark room where at the back was a glowing Urn upon a stone pedestal. Nazdrak was there gazing over the shoulders of three red leged men with black pointed beards. Their chests were bare and their shoes were black, each looked seriously intent on stopping the huge machine from coming any closer.
"I sware" roared Nazdrak "That if you don't move now, I'll cut you in two"
They replied in unison three at the time "The Black Guard does not take orders from anyone but the lord of all hell himself"
Nazdrak lifted the saw into the air before suddenly one of the red legged men pointed to the doorway where Subzero stood "Mortal!" he shouted "What are you doing here!"
There was silence and Nazdrak's saw stopped moving. He stompped slowly round to face Subzero his skull face looking infuriate this time rather than the pleasure it had shown at seeing Subzero fall unconcious.
"The next person who calls me 'mortal'" said Subzero walking slowly and confidently into the room "Dies"
Nazdrak gazed sideways at the priests and faced Subzero his skull frowning into hate "You!" it exclaimed with an electronic tinge "How did you escape?"
"A tinhead like yourself doesn't have the right to ask that question" replied Subzero calmly "Perhaps next time you oil yourself you might want to add some brains to that box of yours then maybe you might at least wonder to check your victims for tools and weapons before you throw them in jail"
"This is no time for our squabbling" said one of the black guard coming up beside Nazdrak "Forget the Urn, we'll take this mortal out together... ugh" the saw had penetrated him and drew blood deep into his heart and lungs it came out of the other side blood and organs going everywhere his eyes rolled as the saw spun through his insides. Nazdrak withdrew it confidently with a pleasuring curve in his skull like face "Fat chance you temple skum, we'll take this as a free for all you pathetic wretching coward"
Turning with a roar Nazdrak stompped across the room charging at the other priest. The third and final one jumpped back in shock as the second priest cried out in shock as he was quickly decapitated. The third member of the black guard turned to Subzero running for the doorway he tried to get past the blue lin kuei. Firing once with the gun an orange flash of light sped out to the red legged priest. It hit him in centre, and with an explosive flash he sped out to the back of the room the bolt carrying him and exploded a whole through the metalic wall. Blood splattered everywhere as the hole in the roof let in the orange outside light.
Nazdrak turned to Subzero with a face full of anger, his victim dropped to the ground blood and fluid leaking to the ground the saw still buzzed flying left over blood in all directions. It dripped down off of Nazdrak's face lining the skull socket eye balls of his face.
"Come on then mortal ... now that these wretches are out of the way we can face each other off properly... I heard about you Subzero. The 'cold one' they call you, servant of Quan chi. Have you been sent to destroy me? Well here I am"
"On the contrary" replied Subzero dropping the gun to the floor, it clanged smoke and gas coming out of the canister.
"You're going to fight me without a weapon mortal?" chuckled Nazdrak
"There's no need for us two to fight"
"What do you mean?" spat Nazdrak taking a thundering step forward, the blade spinning was clean now, the blood droplets hung off of his huge body where they had been discarded by the blade. His foot stepped on a fallen priest's head and it was crushed like a walnut spurting yellow and red.
"I mean, that I'm here to destroy Shinnoch as well. I've been sent by Noobsaibot to claim the Urn, cross the bridge of imortality and take back the amulet before Quan chi gives it to him"
"Quan chi has the amulet?" gawked Nazdrak his face cringing into an unimaginable shape, it relaxed a little "So that's why he wanted my guards. I thought they were going to finnaly try and round up Leviathan... no matter, its too late for all that now. Your world is doomed mortal, its too late to change anything"
"No its not" replied Subzero "I know what you're like Nazdrak, you hate Shinnoch in the same way that Noobsaibot does, you hate him for being an fallen angle, and for his relentless misuse of your realm. Nazdrak, now is the chance for the old demons to reunite. Allow me safe passage with the Urn and the use of some of your men and I shall defeat Quan chi and stop this maddness before its too late..."
Nazdrak laughed out loud "No mortal I'm afraid you don't know what I'm like. And to mention Noobsaibot that wretch coming here and telling me what to do, I hate his guts the ungreatful sod, the Urn is mine mortal now that these guards are dead. I shall take it for myself and use it in the following chaos when the portal opens"
"Do you not resent what Shinnoch has done?" asked Subzero trying desperately to find a weakpoint in his mind, a point that could turn the robot over to his side. But when the electronic voice replied it was sound and confident.
"Of cource I hate him" replied Nazdrak taking another large step forward, the ground thundered shaking from side to side "But I do not fear him as Noobsaibot does. I only serve him because he quenches my thirst for blood and power. That's why I abandoned my demonic body for this. I don't care for you mortal or your petty quests, all I care for is true chaos"
Leaping forward with a roar suddenly Subzero was completely taken by shock. He only just had enough sence to step away with a shudder. But Nazdrak wasn't aiming for him. Instead it brought its saw down on the gun carving it in half with a loud buzz, a small spark of fire leapt out from the barrel and the thing had become useless.
"These pathetic weapons I have no use for ... come and take me as I am mortal"
"I see you have a use for that circular saw of yours" commented Subzero sarcastically "I also would like to point out that you called me mortal... twice. And for that Oni, I must now destroy you"
"I liked to see you tr..." leaping up Subzero kicked the Oni in the skull face sending it backwards it secured itself with the second foot. Both hands glowing he planted them firmly on Nazdrak's chest and polar blasted the machine. Sparks of electricity shot out in all directions, Subzero was stuck there for a moment electocuted he was frown back as the volts died down. The circular saw stopped and Nazdrak shuddered from side to side the breast plate wobbling it crackled still freezing "I'll ...get you ...for that" it stuttered sparks discharging on the stone floor. Lightning flickered with great cracks connecting with the iron girdled pillars that held the walkway up.
The robot advanced shakily, the face had stopped moving and the body was blue and crackled. Subzero stood shakily to his feet he felt dizzy and swaying he almost fell off of the platform. He could hear the stomping noise of huge boots as slowy his vision cleared and he saw the robot in front of him charge towards him. The now motionless saw arked across horizontally. He ducked coming up again he backed off as a leg stompped out just missing his kneecaps. He would much rather have battled Nazdrak inside the room than out here on this narrow courseway. Backing off he backflipped out of the way of another blow from Nazdrak. Leaping up suddenly after the blow missed him he kicked the robot again in the head. The mask cracked down the middle and half of it fell hanging to the machinery inside the head by a thread. It dropped and clattered against the walk way before falling down towards the city below.
Nazdraks voice sounded out again stuttery but still with that same electronic tint to it "Die!" he roared cleaving the air with the saw. Subzero backed off but just in time. The saw flayed across the very front of his chest ripping the fabric of his silk costume so that his skin could be seen through the rip. He realised now that in his weakened state he couldn't defeat Nazdrak. He should have been more carefull not to polar blast him so close at the beginning. The electric shock had been brief but any longer and it would have killed him. He didn't understand why it hadn't. A machine that big, the electric charge should have easily killed him but for some reason it hadn't and he was still alive. Raiden it seemed must have been keeping an eye out for him somewhere or other.
What was worse still is that he could hear the hammers sounding out behind him. The half masked Nazdrak spoke again "Yes... can you hear the thundering of those hammers? Its your approaching doom Subzero"
He advanced again and Subzero backed off. If only he could find away to get Nazdrak into the hammers? No it was impossible he thought again it wouldn't work. The blows flayed passed his face just missing him and he backflipped back again avoiding another blow. The sound of the crashes became louder and he didn't know how close to the hammers he actually was. An iron leg sweeped over his head as he ducked he kicked out at Nazdrak's feet. There was a clang and he cringed in pain as his foot scored only a slight dent in the metalic design. He backed off treading on the toes carefully his face red with the agony of his foot. Dodging again the pain gradually died down, but the crashes of the hammers became again louder.
He had one chance... and that was to get away from this demon. Running away through the hammers with no timing was suicide and he knew it. That left one other direction. Ducking again a sweep of the saw he dived forward inbetween Nazdrak's legs freezing the ground he slid on his belly a little way coming out behind the beast. Getting to his feet he pegged it back towards the chambour. Nazdrak roared screaming it turned round with its half face and damaged breast plate and charged after Subzero with great bounding heavy steps.
Subzero ran into the chambour and swiping his card across the computer the door closed slowly as Nazdrak thundered towards it. He hit the door with a clang and a huge dent appeared in the surface. Subzero didn't have time for it, instead he ran squelching over the human remains and blood to the pedestal where the Urn was kept "Noobsaibot, I just hope this Urn is all its wrapped up to be".
It was a strange looking object, white with gold rims it looked nothing like a drinking cup or chalace at all. The white curved round in like a bulb of some kind of plant, fastening his fingers round the pointed top he pulled open the white metal to reveal water inside. He sipped just as Nazdrak's strong metalic arm crashed through the door, gripping it he ripped it out of its socket and flung it down to the city below. His half face gazed across at Subzero in shock, examining first the open Urn and then Subzero.
He felt the strength moving through every part of his limbs like a hot bath only better. It filled him with energy he couldn't help smiling with pleasure as his arms seemed to frob with power. He legs itched with energy and he charged foward with a war cry. Nazdrak defended but it was not enough. Subzero's cold blow tore through the metal he dived smashing right through the robot he came out the other side. Metal and electricity flung everywhere as oil poured out of it inside. The electronic voice roared out in fury as the oil made a bright rainbow pool under its feet. A spark of lightning set the pool on fire and the robot bursed into crimson flames as the fire rose up its legs into the source of the oil desiring more. With huge ball of fire the robot staggered about as its chest and inside exploded. It slipped on its own burning remains crashed on the edge of the bridge and fell down towards the city below. Subzero watched as it crashed down on the prison buildings far below exploding in a huge ball of flame.
There was only one thing left to do. Closing up the Urn he took it with him decending the ladders and lifts he came down into the back streets of lower city prisons. The demons crowded round but looking on him they had fear in their eyes. They could see the power that he held if not its authenticy.
Coming to the edge of the city he came to the great statue of Shinnoch. It looked familiar as he gazed up its body from the robes to the strange hat that was on its head. It was strangely shaped like a bishop's with the top cut off. The stone was yellowy in texture and touching it with his hands it felt week to his now powerful knuckles. Stepping back to the gawking stares of the demons he charged forward and punched the statue with a direct blow. His fist felt no pain but the crack rose up from the feet and went up to the god's left eye as if he were crying in pain.
The huge symbol of the dark god wobbled arround slowly and then suddenly all at once it fell with a huge crash that tremored through the ground for miles. Stepping up onto the statue he walked up it and over the crumbled black wall to the sea of imortality beyond. Behind him a cry from the demons sounded out through the air.
"Shinnoch has lost his power!" cried a shrieking hag "Chaos and blood will insue!" and leaping with claws in hand they began to tear each other apart. The city streets fell to chaos as in times where the balence of power was fraying, it always did.
Subzero appeared in a round circular metalic room. A soldier turned towards him suddenly and pointed a spear forward "You!" it shouted "What are you doing here!"
The armor was purple, and the spear looked strange with some kind of gem at the end. The other end was sharp so presumably he should have held it the other way up? The eyes were red and the face black skinned with a deeply red mouth when it opened like a rabied dog in water.
"I've been sent by Noobsaibot to visit Nazdrak the prison warder"
The soldier squinted at him "Nazdrak doesn't take visits from people who are not Oni's. And Noobsaibot would not have sent a mortal to see him either, now what are you going here!"
"If you don't believe me" replied Subzero coldly "Then Noobsaibot sais he's going to find you, take you back to his castle whoever the person is... and torture them for eternity"
The guard backed off a moment but then set his spear forward again. He squinted at Subzero looking him up and down slowly "I know who you are..." he murmered dangerously after pause "You're Subzero, the one Quan chi hired... you're not supposed to be here get out!" he cringed in pain a moment as a needle punctured his shoulder "My eyes! What did you do to my eyes!" he shouted the voice seemed strange as if under a sythasiser or being played through a piece of machinary. Pointing the spear forward in the wrong direction a green bolt shot out and exploded against the wall.
Swiftly Subzero dodged ran forward hopping lightly through the air he kicked the soldier twice in mid air knocking him and his weapon to the ground.
"My eyes!" he screemed and lying on the floor he began to convulse suddenly shudering from side to side. Stepping on his stomach Subzero pulled the dart out and stepped back quickly. The mouth started to foam and blood started pouring down the arms and out of his shoes. He panted raspingly shaking from side to side with moans and cries of pain. His stomach rose slowly but tremendously in height. He crooked his head from side to side the eyes rolling. Subzero backflipped away and crouched against the metalic wall. The soldier exploded like a bubble of tomato juice, the metalic armor pried apart like a blown up tincan the messy interior was left with ribs and bits of bones sticking out of the burned flesh giving the room a fleshy toxic smell. Subzero almost puked, ducking round the body he opened the door with both hands trying not to breath in the air and exited to the high platforms of the prison.
The door closed softly behind him with a metalic hiss and again he felt what it was like to be so high up in the air, he tried to forget as best as he could what had just happened. Evidently Noobsaibot hadn't been kidding when he had said "Death Needles". They did more than that, they should have been called combustion needles or "obliteration needles". Death was an understatement, what these things did to people, was painful scary disgusting and a slow horrid death. Looking at then at the one he held in his hands he shuddered. Should he really use these things? These were demons after all, and he was using demonic weapons against their own... but did anything deserve to be put through such a demise?
However he realised that he had no choice, what else could he use to inflict damage upon enemies not counting his powers over ice? He had the two Lin kuei shurikens left, but he couldn't rely just on that and his own talent. His icy powers were noisy, he'd have to keep on using these demonic needles until he found something better. But was there anything better? Unless of of cource the Urn of strength was all it was cracked up to be.
In front of him hammers slammed much closer to him this time than before, yet there was nobody arround. The Brothers of the shadow must have been in a meeting or something, or had been called to another part of the complex. How could he tell what went on in the minds of demons? Noobsaibot had proved him wrong in his suspiciens that all demons lived for destruction alone. Their forms varied and it seemed some could change at will like Shinnoch himself.
At least now he thought his objectives at least were simple, all he had to do was find this Urn of strength and escape with it to the statue of Shinnoch. The only problem was the hammers. The ground trembled more as he got closer and boy were those hammers big. They were based on platforms to his left and right that he couldn't reach unless he jumped across. Or of cource he could try the desperate ice slide through air that he had tried on the water god. But he had no intention of getting to the hammer's base so he didn't bother, the idea was getting passed the hammers.
He stood a meter away and watched as the huge hammer slammed down on the platform where he would have to pass underneath. Everytime it hit the floor he felt the vibration on the platform beneath him. The Hammer was taller than he was, wider than he was and abolutely solid stone or whatever strange matirial it was made out of. It wouldn't just crush him or wound him, it would completely and utterly kill him. It would flatten him like a pan cake. The other danger was that he had to make sure he didn't run passed one hammer to be squashed by another one.
"Just like in the earth temple" he whispered quietly to himself, he rubbed his hands together in readiness. The hammer came down and as it rose he hopped forward and stood still as the second one crashed down in front of him. It filled him with fear, it was almost right next to his face. It arose slowly and he hopped forward again to meet another coming down. He stopped dead still watching the stone that remained stationary on the platform in front of him. It rose like the others and he jumpped forward with no more hammers to go. He heard the crash behind him as the ones he had passed under landed one by one. He had gotten past yet another hazard he beamed inwardly that he was still alive. He wondered grimly whether the brothers of the shadow also took this route through the hammers? Did they have a tactic? Or more importatly did they have a way to switch the hammers off? If they couldn't turn them on and had to pass through this way often, Subzero wondered how many casualties they received among their numbers.
It might explain the absence of their numbers at least. So far he had only encountered one whom he had killed in an extremely nasty fashion.
The platform up ahead was empty. It went streight on past large water cooling buildings. He felt strong and confident from getting through the hammers and decided to run. There were no hammers here; no nothing. No dangers for a long way into the distance. He could see more hammers slamming down far off, but it would take him ahwile to reach them. The buildings were passing him by from both sides when suddenly he noticed something strange. An unusually large shadow was coming out of the building to his left and worryingly at that moment he was running through it.
He took a powerful blow to the back and slumpped to the ground. A voice above laughed with an electronic tinge to it. It was deep like the sound of moving pistons and steel. He moved his head round to gaze upon the creature. A circular saw attached to the right hand, huge metalic body and a head piece that was shaped in resemblance to a skull. Wires were plugged here and there, this was Nazdrak, yet already it seemed he had lost as Noobsaibot had said he might. Two soldiers came out of the shadows they looked down through red bloody eyes down on Subzero. They poked him with the butt end of their spears and he cowered on the ground in defeat, the blood rushing to his head he lost conciousness. The blow had hit him much harder than he had thought. The pain spread down his back and the rest of his body as they took him away. In all likely events, to his demise.
When Subzero finnaly awoke he was in virtually complete darkness. The orange sky outside came in through those same linear square windows that he now asociated with the Neatheralm like cutlery to a table. He felt his back up and down. There should have been a huge bruise but instead there was nothing. Something or other had healed him while he slept, there was no longer any pain. Evidently they wanted him for questioning. He checked his clothing. He was still wearing the blue silk cotume, the black line went down his torso like a tie as it always had done. The padding was seperated by small black lines, and his wrist guards were still intact.
Feeling into the pockets of his clothes, he found the death needles. The bag was still in place, and he also found the blue card he had received from first the unnamed demon and then Noobsaibot himself. He almost laugthed out loud. They were idiots, they had left him with all of his weapons intact, with his hands untied and still potent with icy power, they had healed him and now he was ready as ever to escape. It seemed ludicrous that they could possibly have been so insanely stupid.
"Escape is futile" laughed a voice in the darkness. Turning he saw a shape in the far corner of the room. A man human in shape stood with a strange red hat, his face was pale like Quan chi's as if all the life had been sucked out of it. Yet the voice was different and the clothing as well suggested of other roots.
"Who are you?" demmanded Subzero advancing forward on his roomate.
"A lost soul" replied the voice. Subzero groaned standing still he turned around and walking over to the metalic door he rested his hands on the door and sighed deeply "Where would you escape to?" continued the old man "If you are here then you must belong here... rejected from your own realm no doubt"
"I wasn't rejected" wheezed Subzero leaning both hands forward he gazed at the metalic floor wondering what the heck he was supposed to be doing with his life "I was sent here"
"No matter" chuckled the old man leaning back into the darkness like a animal on the hunt "Rejected or sent, you couldn't exist here unless your soul contained the impurities of evil"
"Haven't you ever tried to escape old man?" asked Subzero slowly gazing at the door. He turned to the shape in the darkness and waited for the answer.
"Escape?" taunted the man amused "Oh I'll be leaving this realm shortly... but first I must play Raiden's game"
"You know Raiden!" said Subzero turning to face him with a gasp. But there was nothing there, only darkness. The man had completely dissapered whoever he was. Probably some kind of strange Oni journying across the Neatherealm, enjoying taunting prisoners. Subzero himself had no clue who it had been and right now he didn't really care either. He grunted and came slowly up to the door still pessemistic of his surival in this place. Yet he felt bolstered by the old man who had given him anger. He'd show that Oni that he wasn't just any old mortal.
Like the one he had opened when he had first entered the Neatherealm, this door was also bent in the middle. It rose out away from him and then bending its metal plating moved towards him and up to the diagonal roof.
These were evidently some kind of holding cells where prisoners could be left to rot, or wait expecting their tortures. For some reason they hadn't killed him, which meant that they probably knew who he was, that or the curiosity of seeing a mortal in amongst their own kind had confused them somehow. Had they found the dead brother of the shadow? And if they had would they have really cared anyway? This was hell after all, these beings had no mercy. If something died, then it was either dead or it would have the strength of will to return again to life. What did it matter to them whether one minion died horribly and painfully at the hands of an assassin? If they'd had the chance they probably would have stayed and watched, thus was their hellish philosophy. There is no pleasure in hell that does not bare a price, it must be taken at the cost of others...
He placed his hands on the metalic door and waited. It did not open, he banged his hands on the door and still nothing happened "Shut up you wretch!" ,roared a voice from outside "Or face my wrath"
Subzero stopped remaining silent he looked the door up and down. He gazed round the room, this was the only exit and entrance. He could of cource wait until one of the guards came in to collect or torture him... but that guard would most likely in all events be Nazdrak himself as he Subzero would be classed as such a high priority. Fighting Nazdrak in this room didn't seem like a good idea, as it was close and claustraphobic, and also Nazdrak would expect to find him here. It wouldn't be long he pondered that Quan chi would find out about his existance in the Neatherealm. This he feared more than anything else, if this happened then the Bridge of Imortality could be barricaded or worse. It was only a matter of time before Nazdrak figured out who and what he was, and then he'd send off a message to Quan chi and the game would likely be up.
Searching around the sides of the door he found a computer similar to the one he had found on the yellow elevator. As before it had a key card slot hole to it. He checked his pockets. Withdrawing the blue card he looked at the computer slowly before swiping. The computer clicked, and green code went up the sides...
The guard watched out across the horizon. The hammers crashed down in the distance smashing against the platforms. He could see others of his kind and in the distance, small winged fiends fluttered across the sky slowly like seagulls. Moans and screams sounded out in the distance as all over hell lost souls and the dammed were tortured. The guard took some pleasure out of this gazing out with red blood shot eyes. It was so marvelous, so much pain... so much misery.
He couldn't wait to see what they did to the prisoner in the cell behind him. They had brought him in, a mortal in amongst their own prison, amongst their own ranks. Never before had anyone gotten in past security without being caught, certainly not a mortal. Yet he'd seen mortals before in the prison of souls. They were always the most highly guarded; because they had entered the Neatherealm of their own accord or someone elses actions during their life times. They lasted a lot longer through the intense torture sessions. It filled him with satisfaction to see something so full of life dwindle and die, to see the soul come out of the body to be tortured again and again for eternity. To see the hope in their eyes flicker and decay. His thoughts were crushed a moment as a noise behind him startled him and he looked round. The metal door had opened sliding aside the darkness inside loomed out like a curtain.
He peered in just outside of the doorway, clutching the black gun in his hands. It was a large cylindrical thing much like a bazooka. It was designed to take down spirits and demons, but its destructive explosive nature would take out this mortal easy enough. What should he do? Should he call for help or destroy the mortal? If he destroyed it would he be in trouble? No, Nazrak surely would enjoy the news that the mortal had died in his cell than hear that he had escaped. Also it would save him the bother of imforming Quan chi of the mortals existance. Shinnoch himself would be very displeased to learn that a mortal had entered the prison without being detected, so why bother telling them? He himself could remove the problem and earn the favour of his superiors. He entered cautiously looking about him across the dark metalic walls. An orange glow came in from the square window and caught his purple armor glimmering it in the darkness.
He stopped in the centre of the room warily his blood red eyes picking up everything arround him. The room was dark, and he couldn't see a thing. The mortal was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone? Suddenly he felt a pain in his shoulder and his vision faded with imense pain from light to black. He cried out in pain his voice with that strange sythesiser like sound echoing round the room, he clutched his shoulder. Taking the gun in his hands he fired round the room in all directions. Explosions reared out as the pain inside of him intenseified. He could feel something metal embedded in his shoulder but couldn't see what it was, and from that point he felt the pain extending out into his own body.
He colapsed to the floor dropping the gun with great spasms, and finnaly with a last drawing breath just as the other had, he exploded pieces of flesh flying in all directions. Smoke and fire were round the edges of the room and Subzero cougthed as the smoke reached his nostrils. Dropping from the chains above that were attached to the ceiling he landed with easy feet in a pool of blood. It splashed out arround him as he walked passed the smoky carcase. The needle was disgusting, it was the same one he had used on the other guard, yet still it was intact. Grudgingly he remembered what they were: Death needles. They were probably the only set in the whole of hell. A present from Shinnoch to Noobsaibot. Bending down he picked it carefully out of a lump of brain and shoulder blade, cougthing on the fumes he wiped it off on the ground and ran out holding it with two fingers.
Placing the needle on the ground outside he took a deep breath and ran back inside again. The smoke issued out of the metalic building like a fog and when he came out carrying the gun, it had slighltly blackend his face and costume, so that in a strange way he slightly resembled Smoke.
He wiped the needle off as best as he could on the stone walkway and deposited it back in its place. The needle stank and he could smell it even when he had put it away, but he just had to retreave the thing. He'd never seen a throwing weapon so deadly in all his life. The poison that was used in the thing was incredible. It was death to anyone it wounded. Holding the black gun in both hands he continued on his path through the prison of souls. This time he was more wary of enemies creeping out at him from the shadows. It was the way Scorpion had tried to use on him to gain the advantage and it had very nearly worked as well. It was the way monks had attacked him in the temple and it was the way Nazdrak himself had taken him out. How could a machine almost twice as tall as he was with circular saw possibly out steal a Lin kuei assassin such as himself? He presumed the Oni must have turned the saw off, and the rest was just up to waiting. But how had it known he was passing that way?
The Neatherealm was a confusing place. Never the less he would be ready for Nazdrak this time, and plus he had a weapon. The Urn itself would presumably be on the highest level of the prison. That would be his priority search anyway. Searchlights were moving across some of the platforms, but they were easy to bypass. He hopped easily behind and inbetween the glowing lights yet he could see no soldiers to contend with. Where had they all gone to?
Suddenly it hit him... what if they had been called into the Fortress? Didn't it seem likely in all events that that's what Quan chi or Shinnoch would order? Presumably Quan chi wanted nothing to interfere with the process. But what Subzero didn't understand is why it had taken Quan chi so long to return the amulet to Shinnoch. He must have had his reasons... maybe he was also being devious as well in some way against his own god? Subzero wouldn't put it passed that "pale faced rat".
Coming to a large metalic building he stopped still in his tracks. He could hear a noise from inside. There were voices speaking, one in anger one in contained fury.
"Let me passed ... I cannot stand it anymore" roared the voice, electronically sounded it had a buzz to every sylable "Get out of my way"
"If you have a problem with the King of darkness then you should speak to him yourself" ,replied the other "You are not aloud to touch the Urn, it is the property of Lord Shinnoch"
"I don't care who's property it is" returned the other, the sound of a buzzing saw sounded. Subzero pressing his hands on the door waited until it opened. They were in a circular dark room where at the back was a glowing Urn upon a stone pedestal. Nazdrak was there gazing over the shoulders of three red leged men with black pointed beards. Their chests were bare and their shoes were black, each looked seriously intent on stopping the huge machine from coming any closer.
"I sware" roared Nazdrak "That if you don't move now, I'll cut you in two"
They replied in unison three at the time "The Black Guard does not take orders from anyone but the lord of all hell himself"
Nazdrak lifted the saw into the air before suddenly one of the red legged men pointed to the doorway where Subzero stood "Mortal!" he shouted "What are you doing here!"
There was silence and Nazdrak's saw stopped moving. He stompped slowly round to face Subzero his skull face looking infuriate this time rather than the pleasure it had shown at seeing Subzero fall unconcious.
"The next person who calls me 'mortal'" said Subzero walking slowly and confidently into the room "Dies"
Nazdrak gazed sideways at the priests and faced Subzero his skull frowning into hate "You!" it exclaimed with an electronic tinge "How did you escape?"
"A tinhead like yourself doesn't have the right to ask that question" replied Subzero calmly "Perhaps next time you oil yourself you might want to add some brains to that box of yours then maybe you might at least wonder to check your victims for tools and weapons before you throw them in jail"
"This is no time for our squabbling" said one of the black guard coming up beside Nazdrak "Forget the Urn, we'll take this mortal out together... ugh" the saw had penetrated him and drew blood deep into his heart and lungs it came out of the other side blood and organs going everywhere his eyes rolled as the saw spun through his insides. Nazdrak withdrew it confidently with a pleasuring curve in his skull like face "Fat chance you temple skum, we'll take this as a free for all you pathetic wretching coward"
Turning with a roar Nazdrak stompped across the room charging at the other priest. The third and final one jumpped back in shock as the second priest cried out in shock as he was quickly decapitated. The third member of the black guard turned to Subzero running for the doorway he tried to get past the blue lin kuei. Firing once with the gun an orange flash of light sped out to the red legged priest. It hit him in centre, and with an explosive flash he sped out to the back of the room the bolt carrying him and exploded a whole through the metalic wall. Blood splattered everywhere as the hole in the roof let in the orange outside light.
Nazdrak turned to Subzero with a face full of anger, his victim dropped to the ground blood and fluid leaking to the ground the saw still buzzed flying left over blood in all directions. It dripped down off of Nazdrak's face lining the skull socket eye balls of his face.
"Come on then mortal ... now that these wretches are out of the way we can face each other off properly... I heard about you Subzero. The 'cold one' they call you, servant of Quan chi. Have you been sent to destroy me? Well here I am"
"On the contrary" replied Subzero dropping the gun to the floor, it clanged smoke and gas coming out of the canister.
"You're going to fight me without a weapon mortal?" chuckled Nazdrak
"There's no need for us two to fight"
"What do you mean?" spat Nazdrak taking a thundering step forward, the blade spinning was clean now, the blood droplets hung off of his huge body where they had been discarded by the blade. His foot stepped on a fallen priest's head and it was crushed like a walnut spurting yellow and red.
"I mean, that I'm here to destroy Shinnoch as well. I've been sent by Noobsaibot to claim the Urn, cross the bridge of imortality and take back the amulet before Quan chi gives it to him"
"Quan chi has the amulet?" gawked Nazdrak his face cringing into an unimaginable shape, it relaxed a little "So that's why he wanted my guards. I thought they were going to finnaly try and round up Leviathan... no matter, its too late for all that now. Your world is doomed mortal, its too late to change anything"
"No its not" replied Subzero "I know what you're like Nazdrak, you hate Shinnoch in the same way that Noobsaibot does, you hate him for being an fallen angle, and for his relentless misuse of your realm. Nazdrak, now is the chance for the old demons to reunite. Allow me safe passage with the Urn and the use of some of your men and I shall defeat Quan chi and stop this maddness before its too late..."
Nazdrak laughed out loud "No mortal I'm afraid you don't know what I'm like. And to mention Noobsaibot that wretch coming here and telling me what to do, I hate his guts the ungreatful sod, the Urn is mine mortal now that these guards are dead. I shall take it for myself and use it in the following chaos when the portal opens"
"Do you not resent what Shinnoch has done?" asked Subzero trying desperately to find a weakpoint in his mind, a point that could turn the robot over to his side. But when the electronic voice replied it was sound and confident.
"Of cource I hate him" replied Nazdrak taking another large step forward, the ground thundered shaking from side to side "But I do not fear him as Noobsaibot does. I only serve him because he quenches my thirst for blood and power. That's why I abandoned my demonic body for this. I don't care for you mortal or your petty quests, all I care for is true chaos"
Leaping forward with a roar suddenly Subzero was completely taken by shock. He only just had enough sence to step away with a shudder. But Nazdrak wasn't aiming for him. Instead it brought its saw down on the gun carving it in half with a loud buzz, a small spark of fire leapt out from the barrel and the thing had become useless.
"These pathetic weapons I have no use for ... come and take me as I am mortal"
"I see you have a use for that circular saw of yours" commented Subzero sarcastically "I also would like to point out that you called me mortal... twice. And for that Oni, I must now destroy you"
"I liked to see you tr..." leaping up Subzero kicked the Oni in the skull face sending it backwards it secured itself with the second foot. Both hands glowing he planted them firmly on Nazdrak's chest and polar blasted the machine. Sparks of electricity shot out in all directions, Subzero was stuck there for a moment electocuted he was frown back as the volts died down. The circular saw stopped and Nazdrak shuddered from side to side the breast plate wobbling it crackled still freezing "I'll ...get you ...for that" it stuttered sparks discharging on the stone floor. Lightning flickered with great cracks connecting with the iron girdled pillars that held the walkway up.
The robot advanced shakily, the face had stopped moving and the body was blue and crackled. Subzero stood shakily to his feet he felt dizzy and swaying he almost fell off of the platform. He could hear the stomping noise of huge boots as slowy his vision cleared and he saw the robot in front of him charge towards him. The now motionless saw arked across horizontally. He ducked coming up again he backed off as a leg stompped out just missing his kneecaps. He would much rather have battled Nazdrak inside the room than out here on this narrow courseway. Backing off he backflipped out of the way of another blow from Nazdrak. Leaping up suddenly after the blow missed him he kicked the robot again in the head. The mask cracked down the middle and half of it fell hanging to the machinery inside the head by a thread. It dropped and clattered against the walk way before falling down towards the city below.
Nazdraks voice sounded out again stuttery but still with that same electronic tint to it "Die!" he roared cleaving the air with the saw. Subzero backed off but just in time. The saw flayed across the very front of his chest ripping the fabric of his silk costume so that his skin could be seen through the rip. He realised now that in his weakened state he couldn't defeat Nazdrak. He should have been more carefull not to polar blast him so close at the beginning. The electric shock had been brief but any longer and it would have killed him. He didn't understand why it hadn't. A machine that big, the electric charge should have easily killed him but for some reason it hadn't and he was still alive. Raiden it seemed must have been keeping an eye out for him somewhere or other.
What was worse still is that he could hear the hammers sounding out behind him. The half masked Nazdrak spoke again "Yes... can you hear the thundering of those hammers? Its your approaching doom Subzero"
He advanced again and Subzero backed off. If only he could find away to get Nazdrak into the hammers? No it was impossible he thought again it wouldn't work. The blows flayed passed his face just missing him and he backflipped back again avoiding another blow. The sound of the crashes became louder and he didn't know how close to the hammers he actually was. An iron leg sweeped over his head as he ducked he kicked out at Nazdrak's feet. There was a clang and he cringed in pain as his foot scored only a slight dent in the metalic design. He backed off treading on the toes carefully his face red with the agony of his foot. Dodging again the pain gradually died down, but the crashes of the hammers became again louder.
He had one chance... and that was to get away from this demon. Running away through the hammers with no timing was suicide and he knew it. That left one other direction. Ducking again a sweep of the saw he dived forward inbetween Nazdrak's legs freezing the ground he slid on his belly a little way coming out behind the beast. Getting to his feet he pegged it back towards the chambour. Nazdrak roared screaming it turned round with its half face and damaged breast plate and charged after Subzero with great bounding heavy steps.
Subzero ran into the chambour and swiping his card across the computer the door closed slowly as Nazdrak thundered towards it. He hit the door with a clang and a huge dent appeared in the surface. Subzero didn't have time for it, instead he ran squelching over the human remains and blood to the pedestal where the Urn was kept "Noobsaibot, I just hope this Urn is all its wrapped up to be".
It was a strange looking object, white with gold rims it looked nothing like a drinking cup or chalace at all. The white curved round in like a bulb of some kind of plant, fastening his fingers round the pointed top he pulled open the white metal to reveal water inside. He sipped just as Nazdrak's strong metalic arm crashed through the door, gripping it he ripped it out of its socket and flung it down to the city below. His half face gazed across at Subzero in shock, examining first the open Urn and then Subzero.
He felt the strength moving through every part of his limbs like a hot bath only better. It filled him with energy he couldn't help smiling with pleasure as his arms seemed to frob with power. He legs itched with energy and he charged foward with a war cry. Nazdrak defended but it was not enough. Subzero's cold blow tore through the metal he dived smashing right through the robot he came out the other side. Metal and electricity flung everywhere as oil poured out of it inside. The electronic voice roared out in fury as the oil made a bright rainbow pool under its feet. A spark of lightning set the pool on fire and the robot bursed into crimson flames as the fire rose up its legs into the source of the oil desiring more. With huge ball of fire the robot staggered about as its chest and inside exploded. It slipped on its own burning remains crashed on the edge of the bridge and fell down towards the city below. Subzero watched as it crashed down on the prison buildings far below exploding in a huge ball of flame.
There was only one thing left to do. Closing up the Urn he took it with him decending the ladders and lifts he came down into the back streets of lower city prisons. The demons crowded round but looking on him they had fear in their eyes. They could see the power that he held if not its authenticy.
Coming to the edge of the city he came to the great statue of Shinnoch. It looked familiar as he gazed up its body from the robes to the strange hat that was on its head. It was strangely shaped like a bishop's with the top cut off. The stone was yellowy in texture and touching it with his hands it felt week to his now powerful knuckles. Stepping back to the gawking stares of the demons he charged forward and punched the statue with a direct blow. His fist felt no pain but the crack rose up from the feet and went up to the god's left eye as if he were crying in pain.
The huge symbol of the dark god wobbled arround slowly and then suddenly all at once it fell with a huge crash that tremored through the ground for miles. Stepping up onto the statue he walked up it and over the crumbled black wall to the sea of imortality beyond. Behind him a cry from the demons sounded out through the air.
"Shinnoch has lost his power!" cried a shrieking hag "Chaos and blood will insue!" and leaping with claws in hand they began to tear each other apart. The city streets fell to chaos as in times where the balence of power was fraying, it always did.
