It was only 2 days after the incident. Nothing felt different, but something eventful was going to happen. The tournament. Instead of filling her mind with nonsense, she kept her concern on the Tournament.
Today, Kalliste was summoned by Shao Kahn. His guards managed to find Kalliste around the palace. In her empty tasks, her time filled with free time. She decided to part take in a few training sessions with some of Shao Kahn's allies. Some she had won and some she failed. But she continued to grow from it, gathering her mistakes in her head as a reference. During those times, she hardly seen Shang Tsung present anywhere. He had to have been busy preparing the Tournament at his island. She knew something grand was going on behind the curtains. Yet she knew little about the rules or objectives.
As she walked side by side with the guard, gazing at every passing soul and architecture, she couldn't help but feel almost brutal for what she had done to Kollector. It wasn't ultimately fatal of what she had done but then again, she was deeply infuriated by his constant haste. All he ever did was prompted by his rapacious mind. She scoffed, telling herself that she was better alone than forcing herself to befriend an ally of Shao Kahn's. This was no place for harmony or obtaining relationships.
This was a place of brutality. A conqueror that thrived in tyranny.
As she was led into the throne room. Her brain immediately fell into a grey abyss. Blankness engulfing her mind once more. She gazed at the Emperor who had waited patiently for her presence.
"Kalliste, here you are." He called out in a somber tone.
"I have not seen you prove anything to me. Your loyalty remains empty." He begins to stand up from his seat, stepping his way down. "Perhaps it is your indolent actions."
She stayed silent knowing that he was completely right. "If you need tasks. You shall not be hesitant. I have many desires to fulfill my sovereign." He begins to circle. Examining her facade.
"...Kollector has not been seen. He must collect me more tribute. - I shall offer you this task to prove to me that you are no folly." He addresses. And all of a sudden, her concern grows. Just for a moment. But then she allowed ignorant thoughts bypass in which removed her disquiet.
"Require me an uncollected debt that needs obtaining. - This worthless whelp deems no loyalty to me." He shows a torn picture of a man. He wore a hat, a cybernetic eye it seemed to be. On the bottom, it reads; 'Hsu Hao'. As she was handed the piece of paper, she glares at it. "His clan; Red Dragon. This pathetic organization has slowly died as Hsu Hao threatens my rule."
"Not only does he exist. Daegon, his superior impedes my rule. Take care of this matter. My expectations must be relived before the arrival of the Tournament."
"Kill him if necessary, I would like his head."
She looks back at Shao Kahn who continues to eye her. "I have heard that you can speak through single minds. -Your demon does not only speak for you." Kalliste drifted her eyes a bit and nodded.
"Where is Kollector..?" She asks, now that her telepathic voice was now viewed. He laughs.
"His whereabouts are unknown. - Why grow concern?" He questions her in a drastic tone.
She responded with silence. "Wherever he may be. I guarantee he will bring me more commendations." He approaches his throne begins to sit down. He gestures her off. Kalliste bows down in respect for her Emperor, beginning her objective.
Her hands tightly gripped onto the piece of paper. Her eyes reading every feature of his face. The Red Dragon resided in Earthrrealm. Kalliste quickly gathered her weapons. Every equipment was crucial to her. This Hsu Hao seemed to be an assertive fighter, dangerous even. She had heard about the Black Dragon, but not so much about the Red Dragon. Were they both allied clans? Titles that were completely similar but not exactly.
There was something else she was given at the end of their conversation. Shao Kahn had given Kalliste a stone. Establishing that it was called "Portal Stone". He had grasped by his disappearing General Kotal. Explaining that it once belonged to his Osh-Tekk father. Giving a little history lesson she thought.
The stone rolled against her palm. It's color of light amber reflected on the warmth of her flesh. She began to throw it against the ground. Soon it burst into a blinding light of gold. It was indeed a portal as it was titled.
She brushed her fingers against her wrinkled palms and stepped in.
The extreme vividness of the light slightly deprived Kal's vision for a moment. She raised her head as she viewed a large mountain in front of her. The skies had a hint of cardinal copper. Noticeable fog or perhaps dust inundated the air all around. As the dust continues to spread out. The atmosphere became dense, cold but warm. As she continued to venture into a certain entrance, hoping it would lead her further to her objective.
Suddenly, a spear was thrown, stabbed into the earth's ground. Alerting Kalliste immediately. She peers at the bloodied spear and ceases her movements. All around her, bodies landed. Men in crimson red enclosing her circle. They all wielded double daggers. Their stances indicating a battle. She wanted to start easy and safe. But she sensed their bloodthirst upon her.
She raised her hands in a surrendering gesture. Attempting to signal them to stand down. In an instant, they charged at her in hostility. She immediately lowered her body to prevent their lethal strikes from hitting her. With a low blow, she swiped at their legs; instantly amputating some of their limbs. Blood spilled and more continued to attack.
Bashing, pulling, eviscerating. All ingredients to compose a messy bloodbath. She did not stop. She refused to cease ever tear she could provide. More came. Until...
A thunderous roar overcame the atmosphere. All red guards trembled from their unbalanced stances. When all dust settled. A large figure appeared from within the grime. Revealing a bald man with scars on his visage. One eye lacking pupils. His armor was quite similar to Shao Kahn. As he brooded over Kalliste who continued to adjust her vision on.
"Who dares threads onto my territory? -Unwelcomed girl!" His voice grew loud and overpowering. Almost like a god.
Kalliste diminished her power and bowed down.
"GREETINGS. I've come to find the one named HSU HAO." She allowed her inner demon to provide a more vigorous tone to speak with. The man looks down onto Kalliste as if she were a petty being.
"What matter brings you to him? What master do you serve?" His eyes grow in impatience.
"HSU HAO brings unfinished... - matters with the Kahn." She responds. The demi-god looks down.
"Why does Outworld's Emperor have an issue with one of my own...? I am unaware of his whereabouts. Yet, you threaten my clan. Killed my soldiers." He points down at her. An aura of danger grows stronger and stronger. "For this, you will die by my hand." He raised his hands and summons two drake swords. His eyes are flourished by fury.
He begins to swing his deadly weapon onto her. She sways instantly but he manages to throw another hit. Her clavicle splits. Blood begins pouring out softly. Wincing harshly - she begins to hit him in an open spot. He blocks, slapping her with his backhand.
Her eyes began to run black. Clenching her teeth. Releasing her damned claws. Suddenly she released an anguish of scratches on his faces. Reopening those dry scars on his faces. As he groans, almost blinded by the tears in the face. Kalliste equips a sword. Decorated in amethyst ores. Sliver sheen blade. Gripping it in her right hand. She swings it from below and above. Slicing his hand.
A gush of pure red blood sprays. Onto the blade and her face. Her smile grows more demented. The man screams kicks her harshly onto the floor. And within a blink. He disappears.
All was left was his amputated hand. A ring resting on his ring finger. His blood laid against the floor. Kalliste's eyes turned back to normal. She released her air and attempts to breathe normally.
She grabs Daegon's hand, ensuring that it was him. Kalliste felt incomplete. She could not find any information on Hsu Hao. Only his master. She throws the portal stone onto the ground and proceeds to travel home.