Warning: Following scene below contains graphic and abusive torture. So if you are not comfortable, you can skip the backstory and follow the present day. This is the backstory I've been trying to write which is Nash and Riana's but through Riana's POV because Nash is our favourite male Disciple and deserves all the love.

Disclaimer: I'll be using the offensive K-Word once in this story. My intention was to show how badly was Riana's backstory and hopefully Nash can mature a bit to help her. If he does...

You guys are big boys and girls, I'm sure you can handle this if gore is no problem.

Chapter 36

Riana was about to regroup with her brother who seemed to take longer than usual with the fight. Something about the woman Nash was fighting seemed off. A certain vibe she was giving out didn't really settle into Riana's core. She had faith that her little brother could finish her off…no penetration involved.

A bump was felt on her shoe, seeing it was Kurt. She smiled and picked up the bearded dragon to give him a nuzzle. Despite all of the shit in Mortal Kombat, Kurt seemed to be content. "Had a good time playing with Visenya?"

Her little pet pointed his snout upwards, a happy expression. While waiting for her brother, her mind was curious at the two new guests she saw earlier on before Reptile parted with her. She hoped he'll be alright, since he is the chosen one who brought all of them here in the first place. Sitting down with her pet in her arms, she petted him while pondering.

Should she be lucky he was the centre of attention?

She wondered if her family and their connections would treat her differently if she was born as the second child rather than the first. Small, they say, to the point almost chocking a newborn baby because she was too tiny and underweight. Not to mention, having very fair skin for a Malay is rare unless cosmetic is involved so the entire clan of her dad thought she was a ghost that was ripped out of a C-sectioned womb.

If only things would've gone smoothly…

…

10 Years Ago

"Nash!" ten-year old Riana called for her little brother. Eight years old and already her grandparents are throwing a lavish party at their home that happened to be so close to the mosque they prayed in. The architecture and design of that place of worship was divine to the holy and those that seeked forgiveness.

To Riana, it was the opposite when night falls.

Riana's only safe place whenever their parents dropped them to stay with their relatives is near the jungle behind the suburban lifestyle of the people she knew. She yearned for the love her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have showered over her little brother. She doesn't mind being ignored for most of the time, giving her some freedom to do what she wants.

Until that very day.

"No!" Riana protested as she tried to kick and wriggle her way out of her aunts and uncles' grasps. The more she tried, the tighter the grip. Followed behind them were her cousins chanting a few things that no younger cousins would say to their eldest:

"I hope they beat you like a dog!"

"Devil's child!"

"Pale ghost!"

"Kafir….Kafir…."

Riana was then tossed into the shed, a small one where all of her relatives crowded outside to see her like an animal in roadside zoos. Before she could cry for help, her mouth was tightened by a brace which acted like a muzzle. She could only hear the chants and cruel laughter of the family, feeling helpless her little brother or her parents aren't here to help because they never knew or like Nash, tried to stay out of it.

"You really are a mistake," her grandmother spat at her. "If Nash was born first before you, everything would've turned out right. My son….he disappointed me by not giving me a firstborn a boy and to top it all, I've never seen such an ugly baby all my life."

"If you were born second or not born at all, our family would better off!" her grandfather's crony voice. He cupped her cheeks forcefully to gaze at Riana's frightful face and the fact she was pissing herself.

Riana only had tears as she struggled to get away but her uncles held her and took turns slapping her as if she was a slab of meat. Her cousins then used scissors and kitchen knives to tore up the ten-year old girl's dress from the back so that it is bare along with her panties. Riana tried to say sorry or begged them to stop but her aunts have had a pleasure taking turns with the cat o' nine tails or rusty chain.

"Srry!" she muffled her cries through the muzzle as another crack of the whips and rattle of chains opened the bareness of her back, leaving it with trails of blood that resembled tree sap. Riana couldn't tell how long because of the pain she felt on her back, taunting words from those who were her extended family and the most horrible act of all:

Marionettes of still-living animals.

They knew her love for animals so they want to see how far they could break her. So animals like cats, rabbits or even while animals such as monitor lizards and baby monkeys were drilled in each limb to insert nylon strings and dangled in front of her. Riana now became thankful for the muzzle that prevented her from speaking. Her mind was nauseated with the sight and the smell of vomit emitting from her.

This happened for some days before they removed the muzzle to make her recite some prayers. It was hard, considering Riana's only light source was a full moon or bright afternoon Sun. Unfortunately, her eyesight was poorer than before, especially on the left. So she would get slapped if she pronounced a single word wrong or if she stumbled during reciting. But Riana hated it when they tied her hands around a tree, her naked back bare so that her aunties could make her scarred back bleed again with drops of lemon to add more pain.

"I'm sorry…." Riana weeped as she was slapped again for not concentrating on reading. Saying she's bringing more sin and bad vibes to the family. From the corners of her eye, she watched Nash playing with their uncles and cousins while plates of food were served by the family's number of maids from Indonesia and Philippines which were very common in upper-class families. Her stomach rumbled, yearning for a taste of short ribs or rice with chicken.

Since staying here, she never had a meal until they jabbed her with the liquid that's supposed to bloat her up. She hated how it's either from the neck or her arm which made it difficult to walk. One time while chained in the shed for her lesson, her younger cousins would eat delicious food in front of her, taunting her to the point she almost fainted from being overwhelmed. And the foods were usually tossed aside, unfinished and wasted. It made her feel sick besides the live animal marionettes they used to break her.

She vowed to never waste what food that's been given to her because not everyone is fortunate enough to receive such banquets without lifting a finger. And those that try to harm or get away with killing animals for the sake's of fun, she will make them pay…

…

"Riana!"

A harsh voice snapped Riana out of her reminiscing. The Edenian beauty has returned, more stern is her expression. Riana got up with her pet now nestled on her shoulder. "Jade, it's been a while."

"I talked to your brother," she stated, sitting next to her former disciple. "He's taking in the reality but I am not certain about his behaviour from how he courted other women or so I have heard."

Riana nodded, starting ahead.

"Honestly Jade, I don't know what to do with him. When we were young, he tried to help me. Throw me some food scraps and leftovers but I felt embarrassed because I was on all fours, snarling away as I wolfed down what's left."

Jade's expression was that of confusion behind her mask so Riana told her about her backstory which was unbelievable. To prove further, she lifted her top to present her scarred back to the Edenian general who gasped in horror. Riana almost winced when a finger pressure was placed on one of the scars.

"By the gods…." she whispered. "How could….who would…"

"I know," Riana chuckled. "My dad's family is kinda off but he loved them so much. I only like the family vacation if it's the four of us. I don't want them to put on an act that they don't mean it."

Both of them were silent before Jade stood up. She offered her hand which Riana took it gratefully. "I'm sorry on behalf on Nash. I know you are still heartbroken because of what my brother did. But he's trying to be better and wants your forgiveness again."

Jade looked away. She won't have her heart broken again yet something about Nash is drawing her near him. But at the same time, so were other women and that harlot, Tanya! Plus, Nash has been hounding after Mileena who was nothing more than a construct like that being known as Ermac. Feeling hurt, Jade decided to change the subject to ease her aching heart.

"So, are the rumours true between you and that snake Reptile?"

Riana blinked, surprised at Jade's question. How does she know? "Okay, I don't know how you knew but yes. I am fond of him. He has been kind to me when I fell apart and he's like a teacher to me besides Bo Rai Cho."

Jade didn't know what to say. The fight today does looked similar to Reptile's and judging her expression, she smiled a bit when she talked about it. Is it possible for an Earthrealmer to love a Zaterran? But Jade was still sceptical.

"You are aware he wants his race to return?"

Riana nodded and told Jade she wouldn't mind if he wanted to be with a female of his kind. At least she got a sample of him. Jade placed her hand on her shoulder. "You can't give up your virginity that easily."

"It was mine to give," the chubby woman shrugged. "But it's complicated when he's working as a jobber for the sorcerer. Does Kitana know about this? Not just about my relationship but Shao Kahn's plans."

Jade nodded slowly. "She knows but she doesn't want to listen to me when I told her of her father's intention. Shay Kahn's recent actions have been unreasonable plus he dared to recruit that traitor who murdered my love and family!"

Riana was silent. Does Nash know about Jade's rivalry with the woman in yellow? He better buck up and do better because at this rate, he's acting like a spoilt child wanting more candy. She herself would be a bad sister if she doesn't stop him from sleeping with the enemy. Yet she herself had given the thing people saved for marriage to someone not even the lowest of the low would take.

"If he does," Riana told her. "I'll make sure to knock some sense into him. Well, he has to see that he can't get everything in life."

Jade nodded, shook hands with her formal disciple before walking away. There's a fight coming up between her and the woman who murdered her parents. Revenge was the only way out.

Riana decided to at least find some sort of work to support her and Nash since the losers in tournament get a small piece than the winners. It's difficult when you don't have confidence in your own voice or your brother is a wanted man for disgracing the respected women of Edenia.

So she doesn't have that much of a choice unlike Azril with his booming success of his establishment. She wondered if he needed any help. Then again, it won't happen because Azril is a multitasker so along with a pinch of perfectionist. It seemed slim to find work at a place like Outworld because of the current conditions and most of the residents knew her through Nash.

She passed by behind the palace, where it was almost as impressive as it was in front. But something caught her attention which made her peeked over the stone walls. Kurt stood on two legs to take a look as well.

Riana never knew a conqueror like Shao Kahn had a garden that was almost like the ones she saw in Edenia. With its clear garden filled with different fishes, some she could recognised while some were new. There were exotic birds roosting on the trees, some stands with bowls of food and water she figured was for them and there were a few critters she doesn't know on the grass. The same with the stables that held creatures that could make a Shire horse faint.

From prehistoric white tigers to a freaking Tyrannosaurus Rex!

For her height, it was difficult to balance to see over the wall. She had to unsheathe her claws from her gloves to act like grappling hooks. Riana smiled, seeing animals or any creature just calmed her. She wished Nash would appreciate this but he's busy with other things…

"Hey!" a voice shouted. "What are you doing here? Came to steal some of the beasts from the menagerie?"

Riana protested but her claws slipped from the wall, causing her to scream as she fell. Footsteps were heard and Riana never knew the wall had a back door, which was almost camouflaged with the wall's colour. The man glared at her, Riana knew she was screwed.

"Child, what were you doing peering over the walls?" the man demanded. He may be old but Riana noticed a sickle in his hand along with the fact that she's so short compared to him. He could've kicked her head!

Riana explained about her curiosity of the menagerie, admitting she's never seen some of the creatures before, wanting to know them better. She won't bother again after this encounter. But the old man halted her, pointed a finger inside the hidden backdoor. Riana was hesitant but decided to follow, maybe find some info about the rumours of upcoming war she had heard.

She had her claws out in case it was a trap.

Riana wished she could just sit down and watch the creatures both familiar and unfamiliar at work. She wanted to touch every one of them; feel their furs, scales and feathers on her skin. Kurt was sniffing the area curiously with some of the residences glancing at the little sandy lizard. They both went into the stables, where the T-Rex lingered. Riana was about to back away slowly because she was greeted with the dinosaur's swordlike teeth. Outside she's petrified but on the inside she wanted to touch it, seeing something in books now alive here was surreal!

"Impressive, isn't it?" the old man smirked. "It's the guest's ride. Some kind of alliance or something with the emperor. Blue guy if I'm right. Ah, this guy's going to be here for a while."

"He's beautiful," Riana whispered in awe. The dinosaurs sniffed on top of her head, a rumbling sound was heard. She giggled, a bit excited at the whole ordeal. The old man had a soft smile and offered her a bucket with lots of meat. Riana was confused by the gesture.

"If you could feed him," the old man explained. "I might consider hiring you the next day. I'm not getting young any day now so someone has to take over."

"Will Shao Kahn know?"

"Eh, he's not too keen on this," he shrugged. "He just sees if his plan is coming together. This job is a hit-or-miss with him. The blue guy however, is fond of this place and paid me a lot to make sure his ride gets proper care."

Riana wondered who was this blue guest. Was he the one with the other companion in a maroon hood? Something about the companion made her feel uncomfortable. But who was she to judge when she doesn't know them!

Tentatively, she offered her hand with the meat. Surprised that the Rex opened its mouth to let her pour the meat contents inside. She smiled, giving it a small pat on the snout. Suddenly, she heard a deep chuckle behind her and instinctively by now she had one hand with her claws out ready to defend herself.

It was the two guests from before!

Riana was wary of the person with the hood. Or what is it because she assumed it's female and looked like a bee. Kurt was twitching his tail irritably, also anxious. But the blue guest was someone none of the disciples should messed with!

He looked like some war god or those warriors from Mel Gibson's Apocalypto. With his headdress and Aztec clothing along with the paddle weapon she had seen in some movies wielded by those from the jungle. Not to mention with his stature, she is certain he could crack her like a coconut.

"I'm sorry," she apologised quietly. But the man raised his hand to prevent her from babbling her words.

"What's there to apologise?" he asked, his white eyes almost had a look of amusement. "Are you fascinated by this menagerie?"

Riana nodded sheepishly.

"Then it eases my heart to know someone might take over. Shao Kahn needs to understand that our beasts and rides are part of our lives, deserving the best care in return for their use at work. What is your name, girl?"

"I'm Riana and this is my pet, Kurt."

Riana was still surprised of this whole chain of event she's experiencing after her fight with Frost. And her pet had crawled on the warrior's arm with no fear. He only chuckled and petted him. "So small yet so determine….Reminds me of my dear friend."

"This One does not trust her, K'oatal," the bee lady buzzed. Riana was now disturbed and ready in case she was going to get attacked. "She could be a spy."

The blue warrior named K'oatal exchanged glances with his companion and then to Riana. He sighed signalling with his finger for Riana to follow. Riana was hesitant until she saw a stinger protruding from the bee. She knew either was she's going to be screwed.

"You're lucky I'm not allergic to bee stings," Riana eyed her carefully. Kurt flared his little beard to warn her.

All three of them were walking to the courtroom of the palace until Riana gasped in horror at a shaky body laying on the floor.

"S-Syzoth?"

…

Nash's P.O.V

Apparently the woman with wings I fought with just now was called Nitara. She gave me a hell of a match! Or maybe I was distracted by her assets…

I was so distracted by her chest, I didn't know she knocked me out pretty good! The crowd cheered and I am pretty sure Jade wouldn't welcomed me or Riana back to Edenia after this fight.

Or her fight with Tanya.

After the tournament, I tried to find my sister. But she's no where to be found. I had an idea where she's heading but I can't be sure. As I was walking, I noticed something going on.

It was Kristina talking to Ermac.

Now, I'm no sappy expert but the way she was smiling and sometimes looking away from him clearly screams she's into him. Seriously, I could be a better guy than Ermac to Kris. We've known each other since we were kids!

But they were whispering something to each other and then…

"Hey handsome," a sultry voice purred in my ear. I turned around and was knocked out before I knew who it was!

…

I groaned before realising where I am. I seemed to be in someone's room and…

Where are my clothes?!

"Aww, our guest is awake~"

"Dearest Tanya, this is the one I want you to try before your duel," the familiar high pitch voice told her excitedly.

I don't know what am I feeling right now but being stuck in a room naked while two women in lingerie would be anyone's dreams. But right now, my mind is stunned and I don't have the time to process what's going to happen next…

Well, now you know the horrors of Riana's backstory with her cult of a family. I'm pretty sure she'll be fine after being whipped from the back or let her cousins play puppets of dead animals in front of her or the starving process until she was forced fed again. *sarcasm*

But what will Riana do after she saw an unconscious Reptile? And her encounters with the new guests just because she wants to find some work in the mean time.

Don't worry about them. I have a plan in mine.

And Nash, good luck because Jade vs Tanya's tournament is coming up and you are doing what at the moment?

Oh, all coming together with him and I need to get my female Disciples good lemons ASAP!

And please review!