MAJOR UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 1, 2013 – It took ten years, but I finally got the chance to come back and edit this story. It's been a long time coming. Mainly, I've been fixing grammar errors, editing a few things, and deleting little stuff that I wasn't satisfied with after the story's completion. Chapter One did receive a major overhaul, but it does not affect the overall story.
For those reading this story for the first time, I started writing this a month after I purchased Deadly Alliance. Getting to know a new character was not easy back in those days, so I took what I could of Kenshi and simply made assumptions. Ten years later, I realized that I was pretty close.
For those who have read it in the past, I know I mentioned a sequel at the end of the story, and I apologize that it never happened. I won't share any details as to why I decided not to go with the sequel here, but I will say this… with the 2nd MK timeline existing now, I am highly considering writing a 'reboot' version of this story that follows the second timeline. I'm just waiting for MK10 to be released before I start planning the story. However, I do not make any promises because it all depends on what happens the MK10 storyline.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this story!
Also, if you somehow missed it in the summary, this fic involves a Canon/OC pairing! If that's not your thing, turn back now! If you want a story with a Canon/Canon pairing by me, go read 'Her Protector' (Kenshi/Kitana) and 'The Path of Fate' (Kenshi/Li Mei).
Prologue - The Katana
A quiet tomb called the House of Pekara became disrupted as two figures entered it. They slowly walked through the labyrinth below the structure, the halls lit with torches hanging on the walls.
The figures, one a young man and the other an old man, moved in a slow pace silently. After a few minutes, they reached a certain spot where a well-like structure was located.
The younger of the two figures stepped towards it and then bended down to his knees. With his blue eyes, he stared at the structure. "So, you say that this sword is in there?"
The old man nodded. "Yes, Kenshi. You will find the sword in that well."
Kenshi looks up at the Chinese man, who was only known as Song. They met back in Japan after Kenshi fought in a gruesome sword battle. Song told him about this sword located in the depths of the sacred Labyrinth of Catacombs in China. At first, Kenshi was not sure about it. He didn't know who this Song guy was and why he was giving him this offer in the first place.
Kenshi's goal in life was to simply be the best swordsman in the world. What made him decide to seek the katana was simply that goal. Song mentioned about a price and Kenshi hoped that the long journey it took to get here would be worth it.
'This sword may show more of my status,' he thought. So, days after their first meeting, Kenshi met up with Song to seek out the sword.
Kenshi stared at the well. "The covering looks pretty heavy."
"I would help," said Song. "But my strength is not what it used to be."
Kenshi nodded in understanding. Despite having to do it alone, he knew that he could that he could do it. It would take a lot of effort for one person to pry the heavy stone off the well, but Kenshi was willing to do so in order to reach the sword.
Kenshi put his hands to the side of the stone and began to push it off. As he did, he could picture himself winning every sword duel with this new weapon.
After a few minutes, Kenshi finally managed to pry the stone off. As it crashed to the ground, Kenshi peered into the depths. Suddenly, a green blast hit his face causing him to jump back.
It would be the last thing Kenshi would ever see…
The green blast was actually a large group of souls. Song's eyes turn green and the souls were sucked in through his eyes. After the last soul entered his body, Song shape shifted into another human being. Instead of an old, short, bald man, he was a tall, youthful man with long black hair and a goatee.
Kenshi opened his eyes. but could only see darkness in front of him.
'Why can't I see?!' he thought in panic.
The man laughed darkly. "I thank you for the souls of the Warrior Kings, Kenshi."
Kenshi was confused. "Who are you? What have you done to Song?"
"Song does not exist. I am the sorcerer, Shang Tsung."
Kenshi clenched his teeth in anger. He realized who he was dealing with. "You are the man who steals souls."
Shang laughed darkly again. "I guess you do know me after all. I needed a descendent of the Warrior Kings to open the well and I thank you for that. Like I explained in Japan, there was a price in finding the katana and this was it. I can also see that your irises are no longer visible."
"What?!" Kenshi cried while touching his eyes. They were open, but he was unable to see with them. 'Oh God, I'm blind!'
Shang chuckled evilly as he took out his own sword. "I will not need you anymore, fool." With one simple stroke, he sliced Kenshi's stomach open just enough to make him bleed out slowly. Blood began to seep out after the impact. Shang laughed once more before departing through a portal he activated, leaving Kenshi behind to die.
Kenshi tried to get up, but the intense pain in his stomach wouldn't allow it. As he lied back down, he tasted the copper tinge of his own blood in his mouth.
'I'm blind and I'm injured,' he thought. 'Even if I tried, I would never get out of here.' Kenshi sighed. He began to wait… wait for death to consume him.
Just a few inches away from his hand was the katana. When the souls emerged out of the labyrinth, the sword flew out with it and onto the floor.
The sword began to glow with a blue aura. Kenshi could hear the humming noise coming out of it, catching his attention. He slowly reached for it and managed to grasp the hilt. The pain in his stomach suddenly dissipated.
'What the…' Kenshi thought. He then started to sense where the exit was located. Kenshi suddenly became consumed with determination to find it and get out of here. He managed to get himself up, the sword still in hand, and started making his way out.
Ten minutes later, Kenshi could feel the heat of the morning sun blast on to his face. Kenshi realized that he made it out of the House of Pekara.
'Now to find a hospital,' he thought, knowing that he'll eventually bleed out sooner or later.
As he began to leave and search for medical attention, many thoughts played in his head.
'I've betrayed my ancestors but falling for his trickery.' Anger began to consume every fiber within him. 'I'll get them back and slay Shang for what he did!' Then he sighed. 'But I'm blind now. How could I do anything about it?'
He felt the sword in his hand. For some reason, the sword led him out of the depths easily as if he could see. Thinking about his goal and his captured ancestors, Kenshi decided not to let his blindness get in the way, despite knowing that he will most likely be living in darkness for the remainder of his life…