The time took place later in the sunset. An unknown situation was arising and hardly anyone knew what was going on. Some said that someone had been found dead. But why would death be so surprising in this place? Who could've died? Or what event caused an abrupt announcement? Kalliste thought it could've been something about the Tournament. But Kollector had a bit of a rushing concern running in him. He paced faster than he usually would. His fingers rubbed harshly against each other. Kneading on his knuckles and the strange bones that would stick out of his hands.

Kalliste tried to catch up on him. "What has happened...?"

"An announcement like this could mean something ... serious." He professed.

As they arrived; many of Shao Kahn's allies were present. Skarlet, Erron, Shang Tsung, a man in black bandages, reptilian, a Centurian, a Shokan, and many more."
Shao Kahn flickers his fingers impatiently. As Kollector and Kalliste appeared in his view, his expression grew in slight annoyance.

"Kollector! Where have you been...?" He exclaimed in impatience.

"I apologize, my Emperor. I had taken my time ...assisting this one." He points his hands nervously at Kalliste. She scoffs, rolls her eyes as they gathered with the crowd.

Shao Kahn stood up as he had an expression and body language of disappointment.
"Unfortunate news comes to me... My wife, Sindel has been found dead." Everyone stood stiff in their feet. Everyone became even more silent. A young woman in blue, sulks and lowers her posture. Another young woman in green is at her side, comforting her. Shao Kahn glared at them infuriated. Stepping down from the throne, confronting the young woman.

"Kitana. What do you have to say about this?!" His eyes furrow at the woman. Kitana. She had heard of her. The princess of Edenia and the supposed daughter of Shao Kahn and Sindel... Kalliste had learned that Edenia was a perished realm. Conquered by Shao Kahn. Marrying Sindel was but a forceful act. The Queen did not seem that she was displeased by being with Shao Kahn. Moreso, proud.

"You think I had any part in my mother's death?! You are the reason my mother has been despondent for all her years! Now she has committed suicide because of your oppression!" The young princess yells in frustration and anger. Tears seeping from her eye sockets. Her friend in green holds her back. Meanwhile, the Emperor won't accept her behavior. He slaps her vigorously. Shutting down her flamed venting.

"I will not take such pouty irk from you, daughter. Return to your chambers. - Jade." He calls out for the woman in green to take the sobbing princess away. A pale-skinned man in red tattoos comes to Shao Kahn's side.

"-Will you continue with the Tournament, Emperor...?" His voice is deep, hefty, and dark. He was a demon from a different realm. Kal's veins burned from the inside. "The Tournament will continue. I will not rest until Outworld succeeds this Tournament." Shao Kahn sits back on his throne. Clenching his fists on the armrest.

The demon grins in obscure wickedness. Something suspicious was going on. Why was this Tournament so important? What exactly was the Emperor planning to do? As Shao Kahn clears his head, he puts his focus into Kollector. Gesturing him to come closer. "Kollector!" He yells.

Kollector comes forward, slouching as he looks up to his master. "Yes, your Excellency...?" He chirps in slight trepidation. Everyone spreads out as the announcement of the dead Queen finishes. Kalliste felt nothing but a slight shock. She didn't worship Sindel or anything. Yes, she was the wife of the Emperor. But she didn't feel all the superior to her at all.

Shang stung swiftly made his way to Kalliste who was lost in her thoughts.

"Well, it has seemed you've gone through yet another besmirch." He gazed upon Kalliste's attire and body. Forgetting that she had been soaked by dried, putrescent blood. She looks at him confused but soon looks at herself. Finally noticing the drenching and bloody, sticky remains on her. She scoffs, gesturing him that she'll deal with her hygiene later.

"The queen's death is indeed unfortunate." He trails off. "Are you still considering participating in the Tournament despite your negligence...?" His words slightly annoy Kalliste as she picks off the remaining viscera off her clothes.

She looks at him in overbearing confidence and nods. Pouting her lips, ensured with herself.

"Why did the queen commit suicide...?" She asks in confusion.

"That remains to be unknown to me. - The question is... your pact with Kollector." Kalliste glares at him peculiarly.

"I've bribed him to help me settle properly as Shao Kahn's follower. " Shang Tsung looks at her in slight bitterness. "That is perhaps to most foolish deed you could offer to that sycophant..." He says in monotone indignation. Kalliste exhales harshly.

"At least he grows no suspicion to me...You do not like Kollector?" She raises a brow. Shang Tsung puts his arms behind his back.

"He is but the Emperor's slave. Kollector prospers in his riches. Takes what he wants. Even I worry he may attempt to steal my treasures at my Island." He says arrogantly.

"He is the Emperor's slave?"

"His kind, the Nakadan. They were slaves to the Kahn long before. I'm still amazed that he made it this far." He releases his hands from behind his back. "I must go now. My island awaits." He excuses himself and vanishes into the darkness. Kalliste looks at her side. An empty void she stares into. Looking back at the undisclosed conversation between Shao Kahn and Kollector. She leaves the area.

Taking her time as she strolled through the corridors. She rubs her fingers together, suddenly remembering that she was drenched in rotten blood. Kalliste proceeds to find her way to a place that she can wash up. Meeting with one of the passing servants. She asked for a way to the bathing area. Or at least a way she could wash off this filth.

They kindly escorted her to a nearby area. A wooden room filled with expired steam. Kalliste expected it to be dirty or used at the moment. To her surprise it was empty. It lacked people. Good. After a long day of slicing limbs and bodies. The amount of blood she felt on her would've been just perfect for Skarlet.

As Kalliste was left alone in her desired solitude; she began to undress. The tight black leather she wore all day began to feel tattered. All kinds of bodily fluids was left on her body. Kalliste needed to wash up.

A bath was already prepared. She softly stepped in. Kal submerges her head in the hot water, wetting her hair in an instant. The black makeup around her eyes starts to drip and scatter. She begins to leisurely relax in the warmth of comforting bathing water.

When the luxurious and lonely bath was done. Kalliste decided to return to her room. Her hair remains wet as she walks through the darkening corridors. The night shined through every window and every opening. Kalliste lets the messy and washed eye makeup drench her eyes. - She was going to her room anyways.

Through the hallways she walks, she suddenly hears chatter, and a bit of weeping going around. As Kalliste turns to the next corner, her eyes gaze upon two souls. It was the young princess and her friend in green. The princess sobs in bitter sorrow, still mourning for her mother out in the midnight balcony. Suddenly, the woman in green stands up as she notices Kalliste.

"You there! Princess Kitana is in mourning, have respect, and give her privacy." The woman declares. Kalliste removes herself from view, hiding from beyond the wall. Her thoughts run sentimental for the princess. And urges herself to come out of hiding.

Kalliste confronts them two and the woman in green starts to become agitated. "Did I not say that the Princess needed her privacy?"

"My condolences, Princess." Her sudden heavy voice shocks the two. They both grow eerie from Kal's strange deep, demonic voice. But her words were not welcomed and the Princess's friend continue to shoo Kalliste.

"No..." The princess stops her friend and stands up. "You are new, correct...?" As she comes in contact with Kal, she feels a bit astounded. Kalliste nods. "...Thank you for your sympathy. It is unlikely for one of Shao Kahn's followers to say." She frowns and lowers her head in despondency.

"I am already certain that you are much different from Shao Kahn's ruthless allies. ...What is your name..?" Her words spill with delicacy and kindness. Something Kalliste had not met with yet.

"Kalliste."

The princess smiles greatly. Soon it becomes bewildering." May I ask why your voice is like that...?"

"A part of me is not holy. - My real voice is gone. Though, I can speak through minds. Only individually."

"Now, I wonder. You seem rather sincere. If good is in your heart, surely you can defy Shao Kahn." Kitana comes in closer. Her eyes turning serious. "Shao Kahn has killed my father. He forced my mother into marriage, now she is dead. He stands for nothing but his savagery. Please you must understand this." Kitana continues to brood in desperation. Kalliste stands idly by. Blankly staring at the floor as the poor Princess pouts.

And in a dark and obscure area. He runs into this conversation. Listening in the dimness. Kollector hides behind a wall. He sees this, he listens closely. Kollector clenches his face in disappointment and anger. Feeling betrayed. Her actions have truly been revealed.