"Climax"
"Tonight?"
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Only that morning Master Bo' Rai Cho dismissed me as his student. He said I was not yet ready to fight Quan Chi and he couldn't continue training me because time was short. I was sent away and Kung Lao told me he and the others would start making a plan to get inside Shang Tsung's Palace.
"Yes." Kung Lao said. "We're going to meet with Raiden at Shang Tsung's Palace and attack."
"I don't understand...I thought you said you and the others were going to make a plan..."
"Kitana we were wrong." he said grimly. "The tournament the Deadly Alliance was holding finished today. We just found out the winner's soul is to be used to revive the last of the Dragon King's army. There is no more time. They have to be stopped tonight."
As he spoke, fear gripped my heart. It was too soon. How could have Quan Chi and Shang Tsung revived the army so fast? I kept thinking what happened when my troops were attacked by those things. Only a few forced us to retreat. Now an entire army was ready and waiting. I tried to think. I tried to form some sort of plan of what I could do in my mind, but nothing was coming.
Jade ended up speaking for me. "So what happens now?"
"Everyone's meeting outside Shang Tsung's Palace. I came hoping for your help."
"Shang Tsung's Palace is miles away." she answered. "Our armies would never get there in time."
Kung Lao looked visibly upset by that news and after a moment he said "Perhaps you two can come help us?"
"How are you planning on getting in?"
"We have no plan. I hate to say it, but as of now it looks like we're just going in through the front door."
"That's insane." Jade said. "Assuming you get passed the Tarkatans, what if they send out the Dragon King's army?"
"I honestly don't know. Raiden is going to help...hopefully that will help even the odds. Right now I'm just looking for all the help I can get."
There was a very tense silence until Jade asked "Kitana...what do you think we should do?"
I kept going over my options and none of them looked good. Jade was right...our army wouldn't get to the Palace in time. But still, I wanted them to be alerted and ready for battle. I also didn't want to send Kung Lao off on his own. Since he and the others would be going in on their own, they would need all the help they could get.
That left only one choice. Someone should go prepare the armies and someone should go with Kung Lao. I looked at Jade and kept thinking of what I should say. I wasn't ready to fight. As much as I hate to admit it, I was not ready to face Quan Chi and if I went with Kung Lao, there was a good chance I'd end up fighting him. But I didn't want to send Jade in my place. If the battle went ill, I would never forgive myself.
As I thought of this, I could feel that terrible chill in my spine. I wished we had more time. I wished there was some other way. But I knew what I had to do. I knew what needed to be done. Win or lose, it was time I faced my fears.
"Jade," I began. "I want you to return to the encampment. Warn the generals and soldiers and tell them to be ready for battle. I will go with Kung Lao and help him and the others."
Jade looked unsure. After what we just talked about, I think she knew I was apprehensive about this battle. "Kitana...are you sure this what you want to do?"
"Yes." I answered. "The armies need to be warned and someone should go with Kung Lao."
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with Kung Lao?" she asked. "I mean I could..."
"This is my fight. Hopefully Bo' Rai Cho's training will be enough."
Jade looked nervous. She probably knew I wasn't telling her everything. After a few moments she said very solemnly "I'll go tell Seifer and the other generals. But then I'm going straight to Shang Tsung's Palace to help you."
"Jade..."
"I will be there." she suddenly said forcefully.
I nodded and said "Okay. We should get going."
I was very nervous about this coming battle. Maybe it was because I wasn't ready to face Quan Chi? Maybe it was the Dragon King's army was revived? Maybe it was because we were going in without a plan? Probably all of that...but there was something about this coming fight that made my stomach turn. I think Jade knew it too. We stared at each other for a moment, then hugged.
She quietly said "I will be there. I promise."
"I know. Everything will be okay."
We let go and then went our separate ways. Jade started back to the encampment while Kung Lao and I started towards Shang Tsung's Palace. We went to a nearby Dragonfly that was going north.
"Where is Master Bo' Rai Cho now?" I asked.
"The girl I told you about...Li Mei...she won the Deadly Alliance's tournament. After Bo' Rai Cho and I discovered the tournament's true purpose, he went to go find her and warn her before the sorcerers got to her."
As he spoke, I couldn't help but be sickened by how those bastards. Some innocent girl is duped into being used as their slave. I hope Bo' Rai Cho gets to her in time. "How far is the Palace?" I asked.
"On the other side of the Living Forest. It took me little more than an hour to get to you from where I was."
He was right about my armies not getting there in time. By Dragonfly we'd get there in an hour. My armies though would have to travel mostly by foot and it would take days. At least. We really were on our own.
The hour Kung Lao and I spent traveling to Shang Tsung's Palace was the longest hour of my life. We didn't say a word to each other. I don't think I've ever been that nervous or scared before a battle. Far worse than night before the attack on Shinnok's forces. At least that night I had an army to help. And Demons can be killed. And...I believed Liu would come through in the end. But this...we were alone and about to fight creatures who couldn't be killed. That and Bo' Rai Cho basically flat-out told me if I face Quan Chi I will lose.
I was hoping I wouldn't even have to fight Quan Chi myself. I kept trying to think how the battle may go in my mind. Perhaps, I can help hold off the Tarkatans or the Dragon King's soldiers while Raiden or someone else fights Quan Chi.
However, the more I thought about that, the less I liked it. Maybe it is best Kung Lao came to get my help? Maybe it's best I face my fears now, head-on? More than just overcoming Quan Chi. As long as I carry this fear, I will never live in peace. I can't let this dread haunt me the rest of my life. I can't let my fears hold me back any longer. I can't be afraid of what I am. I have to accept fighting like a killer doesn't make me a bad person. My anger does not make me evil.
I am in control of my life. Shao Kahn does not control me anymore. I will never go back to being Kitana the Bloody. I won't allow it. As long as I am able, I will not allow anyone else I love be hurt. Especially because of my own fears. I have to believe we'll overcome this evil. Like we overcame Shao Kahn. Then Shinnok. I have to believe we will defeat Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.
The Dragonfly landed just outside the Living Forest. As Kung Lao and I got off I noticed the bright green beacon going into the sky I had seen before. The source of it seemed to coming from a few miles north and realized it must've been Shang Tsung's Palace.
"What is that thing?" I asked.
"Raiden said it's a Soulnado." Kung Lao "A pathway for souls to go into the Heavens. Apparently Quan Chi opened it for Shang Tsung."
"A source of limitless souls for Tsung to devour." I said grimly. I then realized with so many souls for Tsung to take whenever he pleased, his power must be stronger than ever before.
As I thought of this I looked at Kung Lao and I believe he knew what I was thinking. He then quietly said "Kitana...I want you to know I'm sorry I'm bringing you into this. But I..."
"I know. We have so few choices left now. All we can do now is make the best decisions with the choices we have."
He nodded and we began walking towards the beacon. Towards Shang Tsung's Palace. As we walked I kept trying to prepare myself for whatever attacks on my mind Quan Chi may use. Quan Chi will use his sorcery and trickery. He'll probably make me see things. I had to be ready for anything. Quan Chi, the sadistic bastard that he is, will probably conjure something far more horrible than anything I can imagine.
As Kung Lao and I finally reached the Palace, I could hear thunder roaring in the sky and lightning flashing above. Somehow, it seemed very fitting. The Palace was massive and sat on the other side of a long bridge. At the front of the bridge stood two massive statues of soldiers with huge swords, adding to the already foreboding appearance.
Standing by the statues, I saw what looked like Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, and Jax waiting. Sonya was pacing back and forth, very impatiently. Jax and Cage were just standing around, very nonchalantly. I wonder if they knew the seriousness of the situation.
"Glad you could make it." Sonya said as we approached.
"Where are the others?" Kung Lao asked.
"Raiden should be here any minute and Sub-Zero and Frost are on their way."
"Where's Master Bo' Rai Cho?"
Sonya shrugged and said "No idea. We got here and he was gone."
"That doesn't make sense..."
"So are we going to wait for them to get here?" Cage asked.
"Yes." a grave vice suddenly exclaimed from behind us. I turned and saw it was Raiden himself. "We shall need their help if we are to be victorious."
Raiden and the others began talking abut the whereabouts of Sub-Zero and his pupil, who's name was Frost apparently. But I wasn't paying attention. Underneath their voices and the thunder, I started to pick up on a very faint, but familiar noise coming from somewhere. It sounded like some sort of horn blowing. I tried to listen more closely and it actually sounded like one of the Tarkatan horns that are blown before they go into battle. And it was coming from the Palace.
As I was listening, I then noticed someone running towards us from the bridge. As the figure came closer, I started to recognize who it was. "Is that Master Bo' Rai Cho?"
Everyone else stopped talking as Bo' Rai Cho approached us. He was sweating heavily and carrying someone in his arms. As he came closer I saw it was a young woman wearing bright purple and pink clothes. She was unconscious in Bo' Rai Cho's arms and looked very pale and sickly.
"Master Bo' Rai Cho, what is happening?" Kung Lao asked.
"Those monsters..." he answered, trying to regain his breath. "They tried to put the poor child's soul into one of those things." He paused again and in the silence the Tarkatan horns echoed clearly. In the distance by the Palace a large of horde of them were headed our way. Bo' Rai Cho continued "Forgive me...but I seem to have given us away."
"Take the child to safety." Raiden ordered. "We shall deal with this."
"I wish you all good luck and victory!" Bo' Rai Cho said as he took the girl, Li Mei I guess, away.
Not far from us, I could hear the crazed snarls and roars of the Tarkatans. Johnny Cage then joked "Looks, like we're gonna have to start the party without ol' Subs."
"More for us, son." Jax said.
As if on cue it began to rain as the Tarkatans were about to reach us. I took a deep breath and braced myself to the coming battle. I didn't like the ide aof going into battle without Sub-Zero or his pupil. Or without Jade, but we had no time. I had to be strong. I could not be afraid. I had to believe we would win.
Raiden stood to the front and suddenly bellowed at the Tarkatans "STAND ASIDE ABOMINATIONS!" And with that, he began launching bolts of electricity and lightning on the first of the Tarkatans.
With Raiden at the lead, we began to push towards the Palace. The Tarkatans kept coming, one after the other like cockroaches. Many were quickly taken down by Raiden. The few that could get by him were easily killed by the rest of us. With each Tarkatan we killed, my confidence grew. As long as we were together, we could overcome Quan Chi and Shang Tsung.
When we crossed the bridge and made it to the small courtyard directly in front of the Palace, more and more Tarkatans kept trying to swarm us. Now that we were no longer on the bridge, they could get around Raiden easier and attack from the sides.
"Be on your guard!" Raiden yelled as we spread out to fight the Tarkatans.
I'd become so used to fighting Tarkatans, it was almost like routine. But I was cautious not to be sloppy. Around me, everyone else seemed to hold their own against the Tarkatans well. Raiden held off the bulk of their numbers, leaving only a few for each of us to fight ourselves.
While we were easily holding off the Tarkatans, I kept dreading what will happen inside the Palace. Even with Raiden helping us, I wasn't sure if we could hold off the Dragon King's army. And even if we got past the Undead Army, we'd then have to contend with Quan Chi and Shang Tsung themselves. I did not like the idea of fighting them in the Palace. That's their dominion...their ground. The Palace itself was massive...they could use their sorcery to separate us and kill us one by one. As the battle wore on, I wished we had more time to at least make a plan before we went into this.
"Kung Lao! Kitana!" Raiden yelled. "Get into the Palace and find Shang Tsung and Quan Chi! We will hold off the Tarkatans out here!"
As Raiden said this, I felt that terrible chill run through my blood again. I looked at Kung Lao who gave me an apprehensive look. I wanted to tell Raiden how unsure I was about fighting Quan Chi. I wanted to say it would be better if we all fought the two sorcerers together. But we didn't have the time, and I already knew what his response would be. The Tarkatans kept coming and he and the others needed to stay outside and hold them off. I was trained by Bo' Rai Cho. I have to most experience fighting sorcerers and people like Quan Chi. Perhaps if Sub-Zero was there...but like it or not, I was the best chance of beating Quan Chi.
Kung Lao and I started fighting our way to the Palace entrance. We fought past the last of the Tarkatans in our way and started towards the front entrance. The inside of the Palace seemed to glow a sickly green from the Soulnado inside. Kung Lao and I cautiously started inside the Palace, trying to be prepared for anything.
As we went inside, I tried to steel myself. I had to be strong. I could not let Liu or Goro's deaths get to me. I could not let my fears hold me back. I have come too far and fought too hard to fail now. Now, when so much is depending on me. As we approached the main hall of the Palace, I realized this may very well be the single most important battle I will ever face. I cannot...I must not fail now.
"Kitana..." Kung Lao whispered. "We fight as one. Back each other up and we will win this."
"Agreed." I answered as we stepped inside the main hall of the Palace. Upon our entrance, my stomach dropped. All around us, filling the massive hall...hundreds...maybe even thousands of the Dragon King's armies. They all stood in formation, their eyes glowing a devilish green.
As Kung Lao and I slowly started to pass them, I swear I could feel they were staring at us. Looking upon the massive army was a confirmation of what we feared. We really were too late. The Dragon King's army was revived. And now the only thing between the Deadly Alliance and domination was just us.
Each step we took was like a bad dream. Taking every step, knowing that any second these things could just suddenly swarm us. That terrifying thought that our only hope now was that Quan Chi and Shang Tsung were even willing to fight us in Mortal Kombat. As we went deeper inside the Palace, it became all too clear to me we were already at the mercy of Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.
We approached the Soulnado that swirled at the far end of the hall. The trapped souls inside screaming in torment and pain. As we got closer, a single figure standing in front of the Soulnado became clear. His back was to us...but to my horror I recognized who it was immediately. It was Liu.
He turned to face us, and upon seeing us looked very surprised. "Kung Lao! Kitana! Thank goodness you're here!"
"Silence sorcerer!" Kung Lao barked. "You're not fooling us!"
"What are you talking about?" he asked, very gently. "I was able to overcome Shang Tsung's possession of my soul. I've already beaten him and Quan Chi. We're safe now..."
"Don't you dare desecrate him like this you bastard!" I yelled.
He looked at me and let out a warm smile. "Kitana...remember when you said you were happiest with me? Not a day went by where I didn't regret not joining you in Edenia. But I can make you happy now, my love. Now we can be together...forever..."
"Shut your mouth!" I screamed.
"Enough!" Kung Lao bellowed as he charged.
Liu gave a sickening grin as his face and body changed into Shang Tsung and snarled "Come!"
As Kung Lao started fighting Tsung, I was so sickened he would use Liu's form against us. I started to charge to help Kung Lao, but I was suddenly stopped in my tracks by someone grabbing onto my hair and throwing down to the floor.
As I tried to regain my bearings, I heard a painfully familiar voice speak. A voice that sounded like spiders crawling in the dark. "You've come a long way to face me, Princess." I looked up and I saw him staring at me with his blood-red eyes. Leering at me with a disgusting smirk. Quan Chi.
"Now's your chance."
End of Chapter XXXIII