Chapter 3: Possibilities
After Mileena escaped from Kotal's grasp, even with Baraka's death the Tarkatans swore to honor their fallen leader's word to have Mileena lead them. The days that followed was a large-scale civil war between Mileena's right to rule and Kotal Kahn's coup that took the throne. Even after they left the capital, Mileena's training intensified in a means to help her grow stronger to defend herself. Scarlet and Tanya also stayed by Muli's side to continue their training while Sheeva had gone back to her people to stay neutral.
Mileena sat in the main tent with Muli standing to her right and Kano sitting in front of her eating a piece of cooked food. A deal was being made on the assassination of Kotal in a means to try and end this civil war. Although Muli advised against it, Mileena's impatience had begun to grow with every passing moment.
"So, you want Kotal Kohn's head? How much are you offering?" Kano asked with a smirk while using his bowie knife to pick his teeth.
"A hundred million," Mileena offered while raising her head.
"Now that right there is one hell of a deal," Kano said with a wide smile while leaning forward. "...but how can you pay me when you don't even have the throne?"
"If you do your job, you will get a hundred million gold coins for your troubles. It all depends if you can do it or not Kano," Mileena answered with a smirk.
Kano could not help but tilt his head and look at the ceiling deep in thought before nodding his head while laughing loudly.
"You got yourself a deal mate," Kano agreed with his hand out to shake.
Mileena looked at Kano before leaning forward to shake his hand to close the deal. Kano chuckled before nodding his head as Tanya walked in with Rain.
"What is this?" Mileena demanded while shooting up to her feet and glaring at Rain.
Tanya raised her right hand in a means to calm her Empress while also looking at Muli who was already prepared to charge Rain.
"Please. Rain has come to offer us help," Tanya spoke making Muli narrow his eyes while standing straight.
"Show me," Mileena demanded with narrowed eyes of her own.
Rain nodded his head and pulled out a strange amulet from his pouch to present to Mileena.
Mileena's eyes widened while extending her right hand to take a hold of it only for Muli to quickly grab her wrist. Her head immediately turned to look at Muli with rage but seemed to lighten up as their eyes met. Within Muli's eyes held not only worry but caution as he turned his gaze upon the object.
"I do not trust this power Empress," Muli spoke while releasing Mileena's wrist. "This power. What is it?" Muli asked as Rain looked up at him.
"Is it not your Empress' decision? Not her bodyguard?" Rain questioned with an annoyed look.
Muli fell silent at this before sighing and closing his eyes as he faced the ground. Rain scuffed and looked back at Mileena before Tanya sighed and shook her head making the Edenian blink his eyes in confusion. Suddenly, his throat was grabbed and quickly felt his feet leave the ground as he found himself in the hand of Muli with his eyes wide open.
"I am her bodyguard, but I will not be disrespected by one who knows nothing of my purpose nor reason for being here. You may have been the prince of Edenian, but you are nothing more than a possible ally for Empress Mileena. The only reason why you are still breathing is because Tanya brought you here before us," Muli spoke as Rain aimed his right hand toward the warriors face. "Try it and I will snap your neck. Trust me, it will not end the way you think it will."
Rain groaned before closing his eyes and nodding his head in which Muli dropped him to the ground. While Rain was getting back to his feet, Muli took the amulet off the ground and raised it to his face to inspect it more closely.
"He is not just my bodyguard Rain but also my mentor in a means to make me stronger," Mileena spoke while narrowing her eyes. "The process is slow but steady."
"That was a bad move mate. If you've seen what this guy is capable of, you watch your tone with him mate," Kano admitted with a chuckle.
"Now tell us...what is this?" Muli demanded before turning his gaze back to Rain who had gotten back to his feet as well as catch his breath.
"...a powerful weapon," Rain spoke in which Muli looked back at the amulet then to Mileena handing it to her.
Mileena took the amulet then looked to Rain.
"How would I use such a weapon?" Mileena asked.
Rain smiled behind his mask before leading her outside of the encampment and having a beast released to show its power. After Rain had explained how to use the weapon, Mileena aimed and fired a concentrated beam of focused energy at the beast turning it to ash. Although the beast was reduced to ash, Mileena's hand that held the amulet was in extreme pain causing her to collapse to the ground. Muli wasted no time to kneel by her side and help her off the floor as slowly as possible as to not harm her anymore.
"...this weapon has a cost," Muli commented while looking at Mileena then turned his gaze toward Rain.
"With great power comes great cost..." Rain added before Mileena groaned and shook her head.
"I will keep this power...," Mileena spoke while looking at Rain. "and use it as a last resort,"
"Of course," Rain spoke before bringing his hands together and bowing his head. "May I ask one more request?"
Mileena lightly pushed Muli away showing she could stand on her own so that both could look upon Rain.
"What is this request you ask of?" Mileena asked while her free hand balled into a fist.
"I wish to fight your bodyguard in single combat," Rain asked looking up at Mileena.
"You would dare to challenge the one who bested not only me but multiple officers by himself?" Mileena asked with a chuckle as Rain stayed in his position. "Very well Rainn. Request granted...just don't regret it later,"
Tanya immediately grabbed Rain by the arm and pulled him to the side silently arguing to him before she eventually sighed in defeat.
"Our troops could use the entertainment," Mileena spoke before looking at Muli to see him slowly nod his head. "Try not to kill him Muli. He still has his uses."
-Training Yard-
Rain stood at the center of the training yard looking at Mileena before turning his gaze to his opponent Muli who slowly walked to the middle as well. As soon as Muli reached the center, he turned and bowed his head to Mileena before facing Rain and taking two steps back.
"What is this?" Rain asked while getting into his fighting stance.
"I am told to try and not kill you. To do so I will have to hold back against you," Muli spoke while standing straight and tilting his head causing Rain to glare at him.
"Fight!" Mileena declared.
Rain quickly brought his hands up to engulf Muli's entire body in a sphere of water trapping him within. He immediately followed up by bringing his right hand down to cause lightning to descend and hit the water sphere. After being hit by the first lightning bolt, Rain brought his other hand down to bring forth another lightning bolt causing steam to come off Muli's unmoved body. The Edenian narrowed his eyes before jumping forward and spinning in midair to deliver a roundhouse kick to Muli's head causing the body to turn slightly.
"Not so tough, now are you?" Rain taunted before landing on his feet and jumping up once more, but this time assisted by water coming from his palms.
As Rain had ascended high enough into the sky, he closed his hands and started to descend toward the motionless warrior. Suddenly, Rain watched as the motionless warrior slowly turned his gaze up at him. Rain only narrowed his eyes before bringing his heel down on Muli's skull to take him out. The attack connected, causing Muli to fall to his hands and knee. With his attack finished, Rain jumped back and landed on the ground to look at the motionless warrior.
"Not bad," Muli spoke before slowly standing back to his feet with no problem.
This made Rain widen his eyes while getting back into his fighting stance.
"Are you a god?" Rain asked while glaring at the warrior.
"No. Just a cursed warrior vowed to protect his Empress," Muli spoke before dashing forward and shoulder tackling Rain backward.
Rain skidded on the ground before sinking into a puddle of water to land back on his feet.
"You are a sturdy one Rain. I will give you that," Muli complimented before gripping his hands into fists and narrowing his eyes.
Rain shook his head before running at Muli to see him tuck his right fist back and bring it forward. Seeing his chance, Rain sank into the ground once more to appear over Muli's right arm to slam both feet down on the elbow snapping it out of place before landing on the ground again. With the clear damage done, Rain turned to see Muli's left hand slap his head and forced him down to the ground rupturing his ear as well as making his balance near impossible to gain back for a time.
"What?" Rain spoke as he tried to pick himself up but fell back to the cold ground groaning in pain.
"Do you submit," Muli asked with his right arm still crooked.
"How?" Rain asked looking up at Muli as he watched him grab his right arm and snap it back into place as if it were nothing said for a faint grunt.
"Now do you understand," Tanya said on the sideline with her arms crossed under her bust which caused Rain to slowly look at her before nodding his head.
"...I submit," Rain admitted in defeat while closing his eyes and facing the ground.
Muli nodded his head and walked back to Mileena's side as she chuckled at her bodyguard's victory while brushing her fingertips along his bare skin. Mileena then looked at Rain while leaning her head down slightly.
"I see Tanya tried to warn you of this outcome. Maybe next time you will take her words more seriously," Mileena advised before sighing and looking at Kano. "Tomorrow we begin our plan, Kano."
"Leave it to me," Kano spoke as he stood up and walked off with a chuckle.
"Take him to be treated dearest, Tanya. Muli and I must take our leave for tomorrow," Mileena commanded in which Tanya bowed her head before going over to help Rain up to take him to check on.
"Rest before your plan for tomorrow?" Muli spoke following Mileena back to her tent.
"Maybe some fun before then," Mileena said with a chuckle.
"Such things would only hinder our plans," Muli replied while looking forward but watched as Mileena walked in front of him with her hands on her hips causing him to stop in his tracks.
"And what would that be? What would hinder my plan for Kotal's death?" Mileena asked with a raised brow.
Muli just stood there looking down at Mileena before leaning forward and placing his right hand under her chin. This action was common now but no matter how much he did this, her cheeks would always go bright red.
"If I were to bed you, Empress. I cannot promise you that you will be able to move as much tomorrow," Muli spoke before leaning back. "No training in the world can prepare you for me."
Mileena snarled at her bodyguard before turning and continuing to walk toward her tent with Muli behind her. As they reached the tent, Mileena looked over her shoulder glaring at Muli.
"Stay out here and keep watch," Mileena commanded causing before she went in.
Muli bowed his head before turning around to have his back facing the entrance while bringing his hands up to cross over his chest sighing heavily.
"Seems you've put our Empress in a bad mood...again," Scarlet spoke as she walked beside Muli with Tanya coming from the other side.
"I do not mean to put her in a bad mood. All I wish is to keep her safe from harm as well as achieve her goal," Muli replied before looking at Scarlet as he glanced over his head at Scarlet. "Do you two not have other matters to attend to rather than stay by my side?"
"And leave you all alone out here where it is cold and... lonely," Tanya replied with a chuckle before Muli sighed and closed his eyes.
"Very well...but do not include me in your activities," Muli spoke opening his eyes to look forward. "I will not indulge in either of your games,"
"Your no fun," Tanya whispered before the two faded away.
-Outworld Market-
The day had arrived for the coming attack and death of Kotal Kohn as Mileena took to the roofs with her bodyguard and Tanya while Rain followed behind them. Mileena raised her hand to cause them all to come to a stop and kneel to the ground while peeking out of cover to see Kotal's carriage come to a stop due her troops making a blockade. As Kotal's forces moved up in a means to make way for the carriage, Mileena could see D'Vorah coming out to direct the movement as well as Erron Black and Ermac.
"The Tarkatans are in position. We await your order," Tanya spoke looking at Mileena.
"It is given, dearest Tanya," Mileena replied while looking at the female Edenian with a smile causing her to turn and leave.
"Stopping a carriage is nothing. Killing an Emperor..." Rain started before Mileena glared at him with wide eyes.
"False Emperor!" Mileena hissed.
"...requires power. Power you have, Mileena. And won't use," Rain finished causing Mileena to look down in thought before taking out the amulet to glance at it.
"It pains her to use it, Rain. She needs more time," Muli spoke up which Mileena nodded in agreement.
"The rain falls when it may," Rain spoke looking back at Kotal's carriage.
"No matter...if Kano does what I paid him to do," Mileena said while also looking back at Kotal's carriage
Moments later the Tarkatans flooded through the alleyways from the left and right of the carriage forcing Kotal Kahn's troops to charge in to intercept them. Mileena snickered and watched as the main body of her Tarkatan army rushed from behind. Muli watched the plan play out until Kotal and Kano flew out of the carriage and started to fight one another before the mercenary eventually lost. Just when Muli was about to jump down to fight Kotal he was stopped by Mileena as Tanya landed in front of Kotal with a smirk.
"Do you think she is ready?" Muli asked looking at Mileena which she replied with a simple nod.
Muli slowly turned his gaze back to Tanya who held her own against Kotal for a brief time until he watched as the Osh-Tekk suddenly turned the tables leaving him panting lightly and the female Edenian on the ground unconscious. Eventually, Kotal looked toward their direction before teleporting onto the rooftop ten feet behind them causing Mileena, Rain, and Muli to turn around and look at the Emperor.
"Mileena," Kotal spoke while taking a few steps forward.
"Kano was supposed to kill you, miserable snake," Mileena shouted before charging at Kotal.
To his surprise, her strikes were not only faster but much harder as he was being pushed back by Mileena's onslaught of attacks and combos. Just when Mileena was getting the edge, she let her guard down for a moment allowing Kotal to counter with a quick backhand, stunning her followed by a blast from his hands and knocking her off the rooftop. Muli quickly went after Mileena to catch her and turn to take the brunt of the fall before getting up and looking down at her form that was currently dazed. Narrowing his eyes at this, he looked forward to see D'Vorah, Ermac, and Erron Black all move toward his direction.
"The cursed warrior. Sworn bodyguard to the traitor Mileena. This one will enjoy cutting you apart," D'Vorah spoke causing Muli to walk back and lay Mileena behind him before turning and facing the three officers.
"D'Vorah. You know as well as I that you cannot do anything of the sort...not without knocking me out," Muli spoke gripping his hands into fists as Rain and Kotal fought on the rooftop.
"Do you really think you can take us on all by your lonesome?" Erron Black asked tilting his head.
"You have not fought Muli before," Erma spoke before preparing himself.
Muli narrowed his eyes before charging forward toward Erron watching as he unloaded every bullet into his head and kept going. His eyes widened as Muli took hold of his head and slammed it into the ground but was pierced by D'vorah's legs through his knees causing him to fall to the ground. Gritting his teeth, he turned to look at D'Vorah before getting back to his feet but stop as his hands were encased by green energy by Ermac.
"We cannot kill you...but locking you up works just as well," D'Vorah spoke with a smirk as her last two legs pierced through his feet locking him down.
Muli looked at Ermac then to D'Vorah while nodding his head.
"You were prepared to fight me..." Muli spoke looking at his hands and then his legs before eventually facing the ground.
"Yes. This one had plans to fight you warrior," D'Vorah answered in which Muli nodded his head.
"You prepared for me well D'Vorah..." Muli spoke as he slowly looked up at her with a wide grin. "...but not well enough."
D'Vorah did not know what he had in mind until he broke free of Ermac's restraints and grabbed all four of her legs with one motion. Her eyes went wide before her stomach opened and allowed a swarm of bugs to spring out forcing Muli to release her legs and swat the insects away from his face. Ermac took this slight distraction to charge forward to slam his right fist into Muli's head followed by surrounding him in green energy and clapping his hands launching the warrior into the air.
Ermac flew after Muli to slam his right palm into the warrior's face launching him into a building. D'Vorah narrowed her eyes before a green energy spear flew out of the building and pinned Ermac into another building while Muli landed on the ground sighing heavily as he dusted his shoulder off.
"...as I said...not well enough," Muli spoke before going into a full-blown sprint toward D'Vorah with white energy building up around his body.
D'Vorah simply grew wings and flew over his form only to have Muli jump up and grab both of her ankles to slam her into the ground. Walking over her unconscious body, Muli turned his head to see Mileena using the amulet against Kotal before passing out from the pain. His eyes grew wide as his focus fell on the kneeling Kotal who was slowly getting back to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he raced up behind him to grab his head and tilt it while materializing his spear and aiming it at his neck.
"...Rain!" Muli shouted while looking around to see Rain nowhere to be seen. Cursing in his language he started to look around him while narrowing his eyes. "...let Mileena go Kotal..."
"Why should I bargain with a traitor?" Kotal asked. "Kill me and Mileena dies with me."
"If Mileena dies...Outworld will face something worse than a civil war," Muli whispered into Kotal's ear making him blink his eyes.
"What do you speak of?" Kotal replied.
"...if Mileena dies...I will tear Outworld apart to the point where there will be no civilizations for millennia," Muli promised while looking at Mileena. "...she is the only one stopping me from becoming a true monster...one no one can face without an elder god to back them up,"
"What do you propose?" Kotal asked.
"...time," Muli spoke with a smirk as Rain fell to the ground to place his hand on Mileena's shoulder and teleporting both out of the market leaving Muli behind.
"No!" Kotal spoke while being held by Muli still.
"Only one thing left to do," Muli spoke while looking down at Kotal.
Suddenly, D'vorah's legs pierced through his hands and shoulders causing the spear to fade away followed by Muli slowly turning his head to see the Kytinn grinning widely. Muli was not amused at her action until he figured out why she was grinning, his head snapped to his arms having lost feeling in them.
"This one has learned much since last we meet," D'Vorah spoke while tilting her head. "Although you cannot be killed...you can still be poisoned. Even if you do not die from the poison, you are still affected by it...such as paralysis,"
Kotal scuffed before pushing Muli's arm off him while turning around to look upon the towering warrior with respect.
"You chose the wrong side warrior. Your talents are wasted on Mileena. Death will never come to you...but that does not mean you cannot suffer," Kotal spoke while narrowing his eyes.
"My job was to stall time for Mileena to getaway. Do you not think I wouldn't know of my own weaknesses? I have known them far longer than you have lived. Countermeasures were set in case this were to ever happen," Muli spoke while closing his eyes and sighing heavily. "I was just hoping it would not be so soon,"
Kotal blinked his eyes before Tanya appeared over Muli and used her drill dive cutting D'vorah's legs before placing her hand on Muli and teleporting them both out of the Market. Kotal glared at the spot Muli was before gritting his teeth while shaking his head.
"He has much hidden away that warrior. More of which to be wary of in the coming future," Kotal spoke before turning away and walking back to the carriage along with his loyal officer D'Vorah
"This one will prepare," D'Vorah commented while following Kotal.
-Encampment: Hours later-
Mileena woke up in her tent looking around before her eyes came across a sleeping Muli but sitting in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest. His wounds from the prior battle had long been healed and Tanya, as well as Rain, were reorganizing the Tarkatan horde. Seeing her bodyguard still deeply asleep, she could not help but creep up on him before slowly straddling him. Her hands exploring his muscular arms before eventually moving to his shoulders and down his chest.
"Are you having fun Mileena?" Muli asked opening his eyes to look at her.
Mileena chuckled while bringing her hands to his face while tilting her head slightly.
"I am. After all, last I saw. You had Kotal in your hands. Is it safe to assume you killed him?" Mileena purred while leaning forward to kiss his nose.
"...I did not," Muli answered while looking straight into Mileena's eyes.
The Empress fell silent at this news before she growled and pushed herself off Muli to land on the ground glaring into his eyes.
"How could you have failed? He was within your grasp?" Mileena screamed while balling her hands into fists as she narrowed her eyes.
Muli sighed at this before standing up and bringing his arms to his sides to look down at Mileena.
"Although I cannot be killed...there are still things that work on me. Poison for instance," Muli tried to explain in which Mileena only laughed and shake her head.
"Rain was right! You are only holding me back!" Mileena spoke making Muli narrow his eyes while gripping his hands into fists now.
"...you think I am holding you..." Muli started before his eyes went wide while falling silent.
His glowing white eyes emitted blinding energy in which Mileena had to turn away and use her left hand to shield her own sights. As the light died down, Mileena looked back at Muli seeing him on his hands and knees panting heavily with tears dripping from his eyes.
"Muli? What is wrong? What did you see?" Mileena asked guessing he had a vision.
"...we're going to lose," Muli spoke as he stood up, yet his eyes looked at the ground. "...and you will die,"
"How can this be?" Mileena asked with wide eyes.
"...Kotal will ally with Earthrealm and defeat you as well as your army...unless," Muli spoke looking at Mileena.
"Unless what? Speak! Do not keep your Empress waiting!" Mileena demanded.
"You surrender the throne," Muli spoke making Mileena quickly jump at the warrior causing him to fall flat on his back while she materialized her sai's to place upon his throat growling.
"I will not surrender what rightfully belongs to me!" Mileena shouted while leaning her face up to Muli's.
"... then I will show you," Muli spoke as he widened his eyes and grabbed her shoulders pulling her into his Mind Terra once more.
-Mind Terra-
Mileena appeared beside Muli as they stood outside her encampment with Kotal's forces attacking from the front drawing most of the Tarkatan horde to fight. While the two armies clashed into one another, Muli swayed his hands to have them appear outside her tent where the amulet was held. Outside of her tent, D'Vorah and Cassie moved in only to be stopped by Rain as well as Tanya. Sadly, try as they might, they eventually failed in defeating D'Vorah causing Mileena to arrive and lose against the Kytinn as well.
'Where are you Muli?' Mileena shouted while glaring at her bodyguard in which he shook his head.
'You commanded me to lead the charge to kill Kotal. I... was against it but either I went to the front lines or you did,' Muli answered while turning to look at her.
'Did you kill Kotal?' Mileena asked with wide eyes.
"Yes...but at a cost,' Muli spoke looking back at the scene as an arrow flare was shot into the sky revealing the death of Kotal.
"Kotal has fallen," D'Vorah spoke before looking at the downed Mileena.
"What now?" Cassie asked holding the amulet.
"We finish our task," D'Vorah spoke as her legs sprang out of her back and pierced Mileena's body as well as her head killing the rebellion Empress swiftly.
As Mileena's death was shown, everything turned white before Mileena looked at the ground then back up at Muli.
"But we know what will befall us! We can use this to our advantage!" Mileena spoke with hope in her eyes.
"...it will all be the same," Muli spoke sighing heavily as he closed his eyes.
"What do you mean? Show me!" Mileena demanded while looking out in the nothingness.
Muli could not help but sigh as he opened his eyes and swayed his hands causing the landscape to reverse into the same scenario but this time Muli intercepting them. Although he killed D'Vorah and Cassie, the main army of Kotal broke through surrounding the two and eventually leading to Mileena's death once again but this time with Muli's body being encased in white light before he started to slaughter everyone in the encampment. Mileena's eyes grew wide at this before Muli swayed his hands again revealing another scene where both were put on the front line to intercept Kotal himself, Mileena was still killed but this time by Kung Jin's arrow while both Muli and his Empress were bush fighting off Kotal's forces which lead to the warrior becoming bloodthirsty again.
"...why?" Mileena spoke gripping her hands into fists while Muli looked toward her direction.
"Your death...is almost certain," Muli spoke catching Mileena's attention.
"Almost?" Mileena repeated.
"No matter the outcome you will lose this war Mileena...but...if you give up and allow Kotal to rule...you will live," Muli spoke causing Mileena to growl.
"I will not surrender what belongs to me! I would rather die than surrender," Mileena shouted in which Muli nodded his head.
"Then I will show you one more outcome...one past this war," Muli spoke looking back out to the great nothingness before swaying his hands outward.
In this scenario, Muli and Mileena stood before a large opening with a single house-made int the center of the living forest. At first, Mileena did not understand until she saw a young girl run out and cling to Mileena's left leg causing her to chuckle. If it was not enough, a young boy ran out as well who was the same age as the girl but this time grabbing onto Muli's leg. A smile grew over Muli's lips before the scenario before they faded away leaving them in a blank canvas once more.
"What is your decision Mileena? Continue fighting a losing war which will end in your death...or come with me to a better future...one void of suffering and misfortune," Muli asked looking at Mileena who stood there in silence.
"I... I do not..." Mileena stammered as she looked at the ground before placing both hands onto her head growling loudly. "My kingdom...Outworld...what would my father think?"
"Your father died alone and helpless. I do not want you to meet that fate. As you already know I can never die. This choice...is only yours to make Mileena," Muli spoke closing his eyes and bringing his hands together to clap them softly.
-Mileena's Tent-
Mileena shot up to her feet panting heavily while Muli just laid on the ground with his eyes closed and sweat running down his body as if he ran for thousands of miles in the sun without shade.
"I am fighting a losing battle..." Mileena spoke in which Muli opened his eyes slightly to look up.
"...yes..." Muli spoke.
"What if you go to the palace now and kill Kotal?" Mileena questioned in which she looked at Muli who only shook his head.
"As I said in the Mind Terra...your death is almost certain...that short period I saw the future alone...I watched every possible outcome and almost all ended in your death Mileena," Muli spoke as he pushed himself off the ground and looked at Mileena. "No matter your choice Mileena...I will always serve you. What is your choice?" Muli asked while walking up to her.
Mileena looked at the ground then slowly up at Muli locking eyes as they stood in silence.
/To be continued...
Apologies for the cliffhanger but I have a good idea on how to set the mood for the next chapter. Welp, let me know how you all liked it and please let me know your favorite part...also critics are always welcomed.
