"The End of All Things"
I first encountered the sorcerer Quan Chi during my step-father's tournament. He appeared as an emissary for someone he would only refer to as "his employer." I would later come to know the identity of this employer and Quan Chi's true purpose. Shortly after I freed my home realm of Edenia from Outworld, Quan Chi and his employer, the fallen Elder God Shinnok, would invade my home.
For centuries Quan Chi and Shinnok had watched the battle between Earth and Outworld. Plotting and waiting for the perfect time to strike. I would later learn that even Shinnok was a pawn for Quan Chi's evil. I understand now that Quan Chi is a different kind of evil than I am used to. He analyzes. He watches and waits and schemes. And most dangerous of all...he is eternally patient.
Throughout my life I've fought Tarkatans, Shokan, Centaur, Vampires, Demons, and other sorcerers. I've fought and killed men and women of great power. Creatures of nightmares and other unimaginable monsters. But that night in Shang Tsung's Palace...the night I would face Quan Chi in Mortal Kombat...was the first time I could remember being truly scared of my opponent.
Every time I've met Quan Chi, I could feel my blood run cold. My skin would crawl and I'd feel this terrible sinking feeling in my gut. When he'd look at me with his cold staring eyes...it'd feel as though he was looking into my very soul. When he'd smile at me...it was always this disturbing smirk...as if he always knew something I didn't.
In the main hall of Shang Tsung's Palace, Quan Chi and I were staring each other down. I had my fans drawn and was ready for battle. Quan Chi though, seemed perfectly at ease. Giving me the same knowing smirk. Behind him, on the other side of the hall Kung Lao and Shang Tsung had already started fighting.
After a few moments he hissed "I have foreseen this, Princess. From my Inner Sanctum, I have watched you and your training."
I did not like the situation. Kung Lao suggested we fight as one, which was wise. But we were separated and I could tell already Quan Chi was not going to allow me to get past him. Likewise, I doubt Tsung will allow Kung Lao to get to me. Now Quan Chi was trying to draw me into a conversation. He was most likely looking to exploit my emotions...but he was also trying to stall me. Outside the Palace, Raiden and the others were still fighting the Tarkatans and at any second either Quan Chi or Tsung could simply order the Dragon King's army to start attacking. Time was not on my side.
Aside from my apprehensions about fighting Quan Chi myself, I was at yet another disadvantage. I prefer to fight defensively and I prefer being able to control the pace of my fights. But with time against me and Quan Chi gladly taking advantage...I would have to make the first move, and try to end this fast.
"You seem tense, Princess. Perhaps you..."
I didn't let him finish. I threw one of my fans at him as hard as I could. I didn't like sacrificing one my weapons so early in the fight, but I couldn't risk being lured into some sorcerer's illusion or spell. Quan Chi barely dodged my fan, but was caught off guard. I charged in and pressed my attack.
Quan Chi and I began exchanging attacks. At first, I was able to evade his moves with my speed. For every missed attack he threw, I would connect with two. I tired not to think of anything. Not my fears, not my grief, not my anger...I only focused on the single thought of winning this fight.
However, as I pressed my attacks, I began to notice how little of an effect they were having on him. Every blow, he simply shrugged off as if they didn't hurt him at all. As I noticed this, I was distracted for but a moment, which allowed Quan Chi to connect with a hard shot to my gut. As he hit me, I was shocked by how strong he was. Quan Chi looked no stronger than a normal human...yet he hit as hard as a Shokan.
I tried to shake off the blow as fast as I could and counterattack, but it slowed me down enough for him to connect with a stiff jab to my face. As he hit me, I immediately tasted blood in my mouth. By this point I was fighting blind. Quan Chi easily held me in place as he began raining punches into my kidney. He followed with a hard elbow to my back which immediately knocked the air from me. I stood in place, completely dazed, which allowed him to level me with an uppercut. The uppercut launched me into the air and I landed hard on the floor, praying I wouldn't black out. The only other person to ever hit me that hard was my step-father.
I lay on the floor struggling to regain my breath, but I could not. I couldn't believe I was so weakened already. How could Quan Chi be that strong? He started to walk towards me, and I kept pushing myself away on the floor, desperately trying to buy some time.
Quan Chi grinned and said "You know the monk died a coward. He died squealing for mercy like a stuck pig."
"Shut-up!" I yelled, as I pulled myself to my feet. As I suspected...first he attacks through my grief.
"It must be such a terrible burden." he hissed. "To know your precious love is gone forever. Your great hero who died like a miserable dog. The source of all your hope. How tragic. That he should triumph over so many evils only to fall so easily now." He walked to me and grabbed a handful of my hair. He then pulled close and locked me in a bearhug, while whispering in my ear "Such a burden...two loves who shall never be. Just think how he feels...helplessly trapped within Shang Tsung. Watching as his friend and true love fight...and fail."
I blocked out the pain of my grief as best I could. I have come too far and trained too hard to fail now because of my sorrow. In a rage I screamed out "I will not be deceived by your lies, bastard!" I drove my elbow into his gut as hard as I could. I managed to push him off and continued my attack. I ignored the pain of his last attacks and tried as best I could to weaken him.
I threw a punch that he managed to block. Before I could react, he caught me with an elbow to my mouth and followed with a hard kick to my gut which sent made me stumble backwards in pain. Before I could regain my bearings, he suddenly struck me with a strange attack where he slid across the floor and hit me with a rising kick.
The kick sent me flying back down to the floor. Quan Chi stood up and simply cracked his neck. Again, my attacks barely fazed him. I didn't understand what was happening. I've killed Tarkatans with less effort. Yet somehow, I couldn't weaken Quan Chi. Suddenly, Bo' Rai Cho's words began to echo in my mind. Maybe he was right? Maybe I can't beat Quan Chi? As these thoughts went through my mind, I could feel fear take hold of me.
Quan Chi let out a slight smile and said "You know, you are right Princess. There is no purpose in lying." His smile then turned to an evil grin and he added "Why lie...when the truth is far more fun?"
I hate to admit it...but I froze. The dawning horror that I could not defeat Quan Chi took hold of me. And the thoughts of what will happen because I can't. How many people would die now...because of my failure? My weakness? And worse...I knew what was coming next.
"You and I both know the truth don't we, Princess?" he hissed. "We both know why you cannot defeat me. Not now, after you've made yourself so weak. Oh no...only Shao Kahn's daughter could best me in combat. Only 'Kitana the Bloody' could defeat me."
"I'm not listening to this..." I said as I tried to distance myself from him.
"You were right all along, Princess. It's the others who are wrong. The others who are deluding you. They're only telling you what you want to hear. You know exactly what you are. Just as Shao Kahn knew. Just as I know. Once you return to the dark path...you won't come back."
"Stop it..."
"You know it to be true. That's why it's so tempting. Because it would be so much easier to simply return to the darkness. No more crushed hopes. No more tragedy. Only something so dark and depraved could be that seductive."
I tried to shut him out but I couldn't. I tried so much to remember the words of Bo' Rai Cho and Jade. I can control what I am. Shao Kahn was wrong about me. I'm not an evil person. Fighting with anger will not make me go back.
"The truth is Kitana..." he continued. "Your people know it to be true, too. Do know how many of them are just waiting...waiting for you to snap and reveal your true colors."
"NO!" I screamed. Deeper and deeper I sank into despair. I couldn't beat him. And I was falling into his trap.
Quan Chi then grabbed me by my head and his hands started to glow. "I shall show you the truth, my little Princess."
I felt as though I was engulfed in some black abyss of pain and despair. All my pain and grief and sadness washed up. And suddenly my mind was flooded with terrible images. I saw Liu's death. I saw Edenia crumbling to pieces. My friends, my family all dying and screaming. My heart felt as though it was torn from my chest. I've come so close...so close to peace. So close to begin happy and it all gets dashed to pieces.
I then saw the people I killed while I was loyal to Shao Kahn. All telling me that no matter how weak I make myself, I will never change. That it was evil that killed them. And evil never changes. I saw the people of Zansatsu. All of them bloodied and burned and rotted. I felt them all swamp me. Hundreds...thousands of ghosts, on top of me...suffocating me. They say I don't deserve to be happy. I deserve this misery.
And in between these horrible images, I kept seeing the vision of myself from my nightmare. My, dressed in Shao Kahn's armor, eyes glowing blood-red. Screaming one thing at me over and over again:
"Let me out!"
It all seemed so real. I tried to tell myself it was just Quan Chi's magic making me see and feel these things. But I couldn't shut him out. I desperately searched for some semblance of hope, but there was nothing. My pain and fear washed over me. It was over. I couldn't beat him. I couldn't get over my grief. I couldn't let go of my fears. Liu was dead. No one would save me now. And it was my own weakness that got me killed. I failed.
Quan Chi then threw me to the floor and said "Don't blame yourself, Princess. It is a lose-lose situation, I'm afraid. Unleash your anger and best me in combat...but by doing so you corrupt yourself and put all you hold dear in danger." I didn't say anything. I just lay there, wallowing in my despair. Quan Chi then violently kicking me while I was down, saying "The sad truth is, little Kitana...you are just a broken weapon. When you served Shao Kahn...you were deadly. You were strong. I'd have even considered recruiting you for my service. But when you stopped serving Shao Kahn...he saw to it you'd be of no use to anyone again. He dismantled you...as he would any weapon that was no longer of any use." He then grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled me up. His hand started to glow a sickly green and he raised it up, as if he was about to reach into my chest and tear my heart from me. "Shao Kahn is dead. So you are no use anymore."
It's strange, but as Quan Chi's words sank into me...as I waited for him to finish me off...I suddenly thought of my mother. I thought about never seeing her again. I though about Liu. How we could never be together now. The thought I would never find peace...never be happy because of Quan Chi...because of Shao Kahn and the things he did to me...all these thoughts welled up inside and suddenly my fear disappeared. I no longer felt despair. Instead...I felt very angry.
I violently rammed the palm of my hand into Quan Chi's face which made him stumble. I pressed my attacks. For the first time in a very long time...I stopped caring what people thought of me. As Quan Chi was beating me before, I could feel a few of my ribs break and I was terribly weakened, but I ignored my pain. As I tore into him, I not only saw Quan Chi...but also Shao Kahn. I hated him...them...so much. I hated the thought I could never find peace. I did not want to die like this. I did not want to die weak and fragile at Quan Chi's feet. I would not allow the peace I have earned be taken away from me.
Suddenly everything felt so right. Bo' Rai Cho was right. It's what I do with my anger that matters. I control my destiny. I know exactly who I am. I am Kitana. I am not Shao Kahn's daughter. I am not some fragile shell of a princess. I am not 'Kitana the Bloody.' Nothing can change that. Not Shao Kahn. Not Quan Chi. Nobody. And I would not allow my life be ruined anymore.
As I continued my attacks on Quan Chi, I started to think I could win. I was fighting like I was supposed to. Quan Chi tried to use my fears against me, but he only unleashed me. I could do it, I could defeat him. I could avenge Liu and save the realms. I finished my assault with a hard uppercut, I put all the strength I could muster into.
Quan Chi flew a few feet away and landed hard on the floor. I sank to my knees, exhausted. He lay on the floor motionless and for a moment, I thought I won. I had done it. I looked over and saw Kung Lao still fighting with Shang Tsung. Although I was exhausted, I could still help. For a brief, shining moment...victory was in reach.
Then everything fell apart.
My hopes dwindled away as I saw Quan Chi rise again. He felt his lip which was bleeding a little, and only smiled. I just stared at him in shock. After all that, after everything I hit him with, he was not only still standing, but merely bleeding from his lip.
"Noble effort, Princess." he said smugly. "But too late, I'm afraid."
And suddenly it dawned on me. The amulet Quan Chi wore on his belt. I remembered during Shinnok's invasion Sub-Zero saying some sort of amulet was the source of Shinnok's power. But in truth Quan Chi was in possession of it.
To my horror, I realized it was too late. The amulet increased his strength and endurance. That's why my attacks weren't hurting him as much as they should have. That's why his blows were so strong. That's what Bo' Rai Cho meant when he said I wasn't ready. I would have to fight at my best from the start if I hoped to overcome the power the amulet gave him. It didn't matter now if I overcame my fear. I was already too weakened.
"I have foreseen this moment for a long time Princess." he hissed. "Long before we even met. I always knew I would be the one to end your life. I suspect in some way, you always knew too, no?"
I was too exhausted to defend myself. Even if I could defend myself, I was too weakened from the fight to put any power into my attacks. I lost. In desperation I tried to fight anyway, but Quan Chi easily caught my hand and suddenly his hand was at my throat. He lifted me into the air.
As I struggled to breathe, Quan Chi looked into my eyes and grimly said "I have no intention of repeating the mistake of Shao Kahn or Shinnok." His grip then began to tighten and I could feel the bones in my neck start to break and he finished with "Die now."
The last thing I heard was the sound of my neck breaking. I might have heard Kung Lao shout out my name, but it wasn't clear. I saw my hands which were clutching Quan Chi's arm go limp, but I didn't feel it. I felt very light-headed and everything seemed to crystallize. The world seemed so distant and blurred.
Quan Chi threw me to the floor, but I still felt nothing. It's very strange...my death was almost instant...but it felt so much longer. As if time slowed down. And as bizarre as it may sound, I suddenly felt strangely at peace. Even though I lost and was killed by Quan Chi, I paid little mind to it. They say when you die, your life flashes in front of your eyes. I actually didn't really see my life...but rather the people in my life.
First I saw Jade. My friend...my sister. Through our lives, she's diligently stood beside me through everything. She's one of the few, if not only, constants in my life. I am, and always will be grateful for her friendship. I wish I could've given her a real good-bye when I last saw her. It's funny, but as I thought of Jade, I felt even more at peace. Though I may be gone, I know Edenia will be in good hands with Jade. She might not see herself as a leader, but I know she will make me proud. I know she will keep Edenia safe.
My thoughts then drifted to my mother. I was very fortunate for her. I lost her so long ago...and by luck or providence, she was returned to me. I wished I could've seen her one last time. I had been without her so long, I was grateful for every moment I was blessed to have with her. I was saddened by the thought of how she'll react when she learns what happened to me. I pray she will stay strong. I wish I could tell her not to despair. I know she will be okay. I know Edenia will prosper under her leadership. I wish her and all my people peace.
I then thought of Liu. Liu...my love...my hero. He had given me so much. He had saved my life...in more ways than one. I imagine since I was dying, my soul would be absorbed by Shang Tsung. At least then...we'll be together again. Even if not...I know Tsung will be defeated. If not my Kung Lao, than someone else. Someday, somehow, I know Liu and I will be together.
It's funny, I even thought about Mileena. In many ways she is my opposite...but in other ways...we are the same after all. Perhaps in some way we are truly intertwined. I wonder how news of my death will affect her. As strange as it may sound...even with all we've been through...I truly do hope someday she finds some kind of peace.
As everything became cloudier, my thoughts drifted through the other people in my life I've loved and lost. Zangyaku. Ikarus. Rain. Goro. So many others. So many flashed through my mind in the brief seconds my life left me.
As my life faded away from me...I looked back and for a brief moment...I finally found peace. For a brief moment...I knew no pain or regret or fear. I felt at ease...serenity. I paid no mind to my death or defeat. Somehow, I knew things would still work out.
As everything faded away...in my mind...I gave one final good-bye to the world...my loved ones...my people...and...perhaps it was because I died in battle...or maybe it was simply the finality of death...but for one brief...blissful moment before my life left me...I thought I had finally found...what had eluded me for so long...the one thing I have so long desired...more than anything...
...redemption...
...
End of Chapter XXXIV