Sorry about the delay, but with tests and a job, i haven't had much free time. But never fear, now i'm back. To all my loyal followers, please leave a review.

Chapter 11

Light footsteps trampled the otherwise undisturbed prairie. She traveled alone, though hopefully that problem would be solved soon.

Reiko's stronghold had fallen to ruins since its master's death. What few guards hadn't been killed during Reptile's assault looted what ever they could. The mountain fortress was then overrun by beasts of Outworld who were attracted by the strong scent of blood. They searched the halls for corpses to devour, and when there was no more meat to eat, the grass quickly retook its territory and now a blanket of fauna covered the stone grounds.

She had been searching for centuries. And though she had found him once, it was impossible to reach him so long as he served Kahn. When the emperor was slain, she tried to reach him again, but he disappeared without a trace. She was thrown into a depression, no matter how hard she tried she could not find him. But, about a month ago, she had caught his scent once more.

She inspected the mansions grounds thoroughly, and was relived not to find a Raptor's skeleton amongst the mangled corpses. She sniffed the air, and though his scent was old, she was getting closer. Pulling her hood farther over her face, she left the mansion grounds with haste.

---

Reptile growled loudly at the sound of footsteps behind him, but calmed his muscles when he caught Nitara's scent. For the first time since he could remember, he didn't wear his body armor. It had been badly damaged in the war with the Tarkatas: armor would do nothing but slow him when it was filled with holes. So instead, he wore a fabric tunic and cloth pants that the vampires had provided him. His covered torso was heavily bandaged and his left arm was in a sling, but his most serious wounds had healed. He carried his kirehashi in a sheathe on his back.

"Your friend Baraka had plenty to say," Nitara explained. "After a little persuasion of-course."

"He's a coward," the Raptor hissed slowly. "No loyalties, only desire for power."

"Reptile?" Nitara asked. "How much do you know about Onaga: the Dragon King?"

"Nothing," he growled. "It sounds familiar, but I don't know."

The smooth skin of Nitara's fingers brushed over Reptile's scales and made his body tense. Was love what he felt? No. He could vaguely recall how love felt. A memory of love was somewhere deep in his mind, though he couldn't remember who gave him that feeling. That was one memory that Shao Kahn's magic could never take. He did like the vampire though. She had used him, but unlike the others she had changed. She and her whole race were kind to him like he had never known.

"Reptile," she started. "Onaga was the ruler of Outworld in the time before Shao Kahn. However, he was killed by his advisor. Three months ago, he mysteriously returned and attempted to conquer the realms. He was foiled by Queen Sindel of Edenia, that's about the time your consciousness returned, correct?"

Reptile nodded slowly, confused as to where this conversation was going.

"The Dragon King used your body as a host to cheat death. It actually explains quite a lot."

"How could he?"

"It's a difficult spell, but not impossible. At his prime, the Dragon King commanded a legion of necromancers and sorcerers, nothing was beyond his power."

"Changes nothing," Reptile growled. "I have to go kill Straw-hat now."

"With a broken arm and missing a rib?" Nitara snickered.

Reptile snarled.

"Why not stay here a few more weeks? No one would mind, we all rather like you," she smiled.

"More of the Dragon King's men will come; I don't want to put your people in danger."

"Fine then, but you will not travel alone."

"No," Reptile snapped. "Its dangerous."

"How would you like to travel through the realms? Besides, killing a god is no small feet. You'll need help."

"I have a plan," he growled.

"And what might that be?"

Reptile reluctantly explained his idea.

"That's just crazy enough to work," Nitara said with a toothy smile. "Nevertheless, I refuse to let you travel alone. I owe you, Reptile. I owe you for my life, my family, my realm. Please, allow me to help you with this. Then, if either of us are still alive, we may return to this realm and live happily ever after."

Reptile gave a grunt of acceptance. Smiling, the vampire took her amulet in hand and recited a spell to open a gateway.

Traveling through portals was something Reptile neither liked nor ever grew accustomed to. It left his skin tingling and his vision blurred. Both of these effects quickly faded into oblivion. "Why are we in Outworld?" Reptile growled confused.

"We vampire have extensive archives of the realms. A day ago, I discovered a legend of a weapon: one very powerful, but also very dangerous to wield. Killing Lord Raiden, even if he's weakened, will be very hard. I believe this blade may help you."

Reptile thought to himself. Breifly, he surveyed the air for hostiles. Catching something familiar, he took another breathe.

"Something wrong?" the vampire asked.

"I thought I smelled something. It's nothing. Do you know the location of this weapon?"

"I'm not sure exactly, but it is said to be in a temple to the East, one occupied with zealots devoted to a fallen god." She sighed slightly, her wings moving with her breathe. "We should go."