The Centaurian keep is no stable, but what gives them purpose to build them? To build these near impenetrable structures? What drives Motaro to rebel against Kitana Kahn? Is it her allegiances to the Shokan and Tarkatan, or the defeat of his former master Shao Kahn?
It is not particularly comforting nor assuring that I stand within these walls as a prisoner of my enemy, but this is the only way to understand them, the only means of finding those answers. Motaro knows more than he'll say, but it's not just words that speak truth.
Before we could speak, however, Motaro deemed it necessary to throw me into a cell, a sconce on the wall down the donjon hall as my own dim light. Unlike most towers, or donjons, The Centuars could not move through narrow pathways, so theirs was built underground. Beneath this fortress held at least five cells that I had counted, the largest of them reserved for me.
Each cell appeared to be something of a stable, but for prisoners. A hay bale is all I had to sit on and the darkness my only friend for hours before I could hear the hooves on patted dirt. The hall was wide, wide enough for two centaurs, incase one must turn their body.
"Motaro!" My hands clenched the rusted steel that stuck the door way of the stable.
"Ko'atal." He greeted me, arms folded, beard twisted like his gnarled horns and a grim grin stretched across his face.
"Must I be your prisoner as we speak? It is your scenario I accepted."
"We are to discuss your surrender, Ko'atal. A surrender that must be known throughout Outworld."
"Speak to me, Motaro. Why have we reached this point?"
"Kitana Kahn." His only answer? I cannot blame him for his anger, I seem to grow in my own for her, but Motaro and I were enemies well before Kitana rose to power. He was at the side of Shao Kahn after all.
"You were Shao Kahn's greatest general." Somewhat of a flattery, but their strength should not be taken lightly.
"You have mistaken me for Goro, and for a fool to be so flattered by your deceptions?"
"There is no deception to such a deadly alliance between Shao Kahn and the Centaurs. Yes, Goro was his right hand, but now he stands by Kitana, and did so eagerly, even before Shao Kahn fell in battle. Who still stands before us an agent of a dead Kahn? You."
"We do not serve dead emperors, Ko'atal."
"Who do you serve? The sorcerer that killed the Zetarran?"
"We serve no sorcerers either, Osh-Tekk scum." Must I pull his horns and teeth for information? He believed this would end with me stuck in this cell, but I will have none of that. His response infuriated me, but to get out, I must find a way through this conversation that would benefit us both. He spoke again, interrupted my desperate breath for information with exactly what I needed. "Shao Kahn may have been a cruel conquerer, but he was a warrior of the people, and he granted us land and freedom. Land and freedom swiftly challenged by Kitana as soon as we refused to swear fealty to her crown."
"It is freedom you want?"
"Isn't that what everyone wants? Freedom from oppression, a world without injustice, and a realm without the threat of annihilation?"
Fair enough. True enough. The centaurs were blood crazed under Shao Kahn, but they seem bitter under Kitana. Shao Kahn had forced Motaro's hand to battle in his many wars and no matter how much Motaro had succeeded, even where the Shokan, Osh-Tekk, and Tarkatan failed, it was Goro that stood tall and the Outworlder known as Reiko that would take credit.
Motaro, still, as a general of war could not be trusted with peace. He has killed and will kill again. Fighting is in his blood, but perhaps that is how I get out? Not a battle with Motaro, but a fight for freedom.
"As you know, General, a new tournament is soon to begin."
"The tournament of Mortal Kombat does not concern the centaurs."
"Perhaps this one will?" He wasn't amused, but I had accepted his scenario, now let us see if he accepts mine. "You wish for your people to be left alone, to be free, but I know you for I am you, Motaro, you must fight, and you must bleed, and you must strive for that final war your life has needed." I added, "you will never see peace, but perhaps your people can. Perhaps Motaro's legacy will be to free the centaurs from the Empress of Outworld."
"Do not deceive me, Ko'atal, you have no power in my prison to make deals and flattery."
"Then free me, and join at my side in the tournament. Together, we can overthrow Kitana and save Outworld, save our people."
"You would commit treason and crown yourself Kahnum of Outworld?"
"I would, but not without the Centaurs."
"We will not serve you."
"Not to fight for me, Motaro, but with me. You will free your people, and in my Outworld, you will be allowed freedom over the land you have already claimed. You will be left alone, but should the call to war come, it will be your choice to join it. I will not force your hand."
"This is a grandiose arrangement you are planning, Ko'atal, or should you prefer Kotal Kahn?"
"Grandiose, but futile without your help."
This moment between us took longer than I had expected. The centaurs may have been formed of prey, but they were smart. I could have rotted in this cell and Motaro would have defeated Kitana on his own should she dare march to the five keeps along the Centaur Hills, but that would not be the freedom and the peace he desired for his people.
Live your lives in battle and hide in your fortress for eternity, or fight one battle and see the world welcome you with open arms. There was no choice to be made.
"I accept your deal. I will fight beside you in Mortal Kombat," he added with deep resolve, "Kotal Kahn."