(after rewatching aftermath, I realize that sindel's death took place wayyy too late in my story. sindel died when Kitana was just a child. ugh. also, just rewatched mk9's story. also Kitana should obey her "father" more.)
The Tournament was here. The morning arises as excitement and glory engulfs the air. Yet, the Mortal Kombat Tournament was to begin in the evening. Many of Shao Kahn's embassies and allies prepared themselves.
The sunlight felt serene and warm, Kalliste rested by the open balcony. Her arms rested against the concrete railing. But she soon regrets it as it puts lots of pressure against her clavicle that had been recently pierced with a bullet. It was removed properly but its gaping hole gave an aching pain to her flesh and muscle.
Kal's hair was dressed down behind her back, not wearing her usual rogue hairstyle. Her eyes strained, her body ached. She felt tired overall. Now starting to doubt if she should even participate- no, that would be foolish and dumb to consider. She decided that her little relaxation in the sun was quite enough as she makes her way inside.
Pressing her fingers against her temple, her head aches with discomfort as she walks through the corridors. Her concentration on the aching scatters when she is hit by another body impacting her. As she stumbles a bit, she adjusts her eyes on a tall figure who appeared to be Kollector. He glances at her with slight annoyance, lacking her awareness.
"Do you not see me...?" He mutters, gesturing with his hands.
"No...I was just-" She ceases her words and quickly moved onto another thought, now that she has managed to run into Kollector.
"Are you ...okay now?" She asks in delicate concern. The irritation slowly fades away from Kollector's visage. "I am well, there is no need for your ...- concern." Kalliste lowered her eyes in bitterness.
"-Fine, I hope the pain they gave you lingers on you for millennia." She says sorely and sarcastically. Kal begins to saunter. Feeling a bit more uncaring from the encounter. But Kollector's steps forward.
"Perhaps-..." Kalliste turns her head around as Kollector speaks. He stutters a bit - Kalliste immediately senses his faltering. Murmuring to himself quietly. "Perhaps .. I should tha- thank you. ...for ..Err...-free-ing me." His stammering was quite witty. He puts on a strained grin.
"Was it so hard?" She smiles in a mocking tone. But her smile disappears as she approaches Kollector. "It's fine, your gratitude is ...-pleasing to hear at most. Plus, I wouldn't have done most of it without ... Skarlet." Once again she returns a sincere smile. Kollector soon shakes his head, removing his tender expression, returning to his hasty look.
"I will say...your performance on the battlefield was ...quite...-impressive."
"You're... complimenting me?" She raises a brow, a mild astonishment appears on her face. Kollector shifts his movement in a slight panic, almost disquieted. "Forget it." He snarls and starts to stride away. Kalliste thinks for a moment and quickly follows Kollector by his side.
"Are you by any chance...busy?"
"Why do you ask..?"
"I was thinking... that you and I could do a sparring. For training purposes. I want to prepare myself before the Tournament begins."
"Why do you ask me?"
"Who else could I ask? You're here and... you're my friend."
He takes in a moment, gawking at Kalliste who finds herself feel cringe from the words she just spoke. Finally, he scoffs. "I am not your friend. Even when you plan on rebelling against Shao Kahn!" He spat. Kalliste looked at him completely bewildered.
"What are you talking about?"
Kollector comes in contact in bitterness, becoming more agitated by her unawareness. "You have spoken with Princess Kitana, I've heard your conversation. You're planning on defying him!" He points his finger at her as she slaps it away, growing in anger.
"You're an idiot! And you shouldn't be listening in conversations you're not apart of. - I am not going to defy Shao Kahn!-"
"There is no-
"LISTEN! ... -I was giving my condolences to the princess, then she begged that I betray Shao Kahn. That is it. Nothing will follow after that." Kalliste rose her anger at him, the type of untrust soon came back. Everything of that certain quality annoyed Kal. She glared at him with vexation, sighed, and began to leave him.
She walked into the warm shadows, heading to the training ground. Cursing to herself.
—
Grunting and chattering was all she heard. Kalliste wished that the day would fall faster to dusk, but the more concentrated on time - the slower it gets, never reaching to your desired time. She watched a couple of kombatants fighting. All brute force yet no skill. It was all the same. Boredom and impatience were overwhelming her.
Off from the distance, Shang Tsung has caught her on her own and swiftly makes his way to her.
"Why do you ponder, Kalliste? Having second thoughts?" Kalliste swatted her head as soon as he appeared into view. His appearance was unwanted. She exhales callously, reverting her contact out of ways for him. Kal leans against the wall, crossing her arms. Shang Tsung continued to eye her.
"I have heard of your successful mission upon bringing Kollector back. Can't say I am impressed." Kalliste remains silent. He seats himself beside her.
"You seem agitated, does it involve Kollector perhaps...? He grins.
Finally, she shot her glare at him in annoyance. "No." then she pouts once more, reverting her stare back into the distance.
"I am not so easily fooled, Kallista. Your unhappiness is beyond discernible. I am available for consultation, if you wish..." Her eyes begin to strain once more, a shrewd feeling stabbing her head over and over again.
"-You're not one to listen, Shang Tsung."
"Perhaps not, but I will ...- consider it."
She gives herself a moment of silence. Pondering over her clouded thoughts from inside. Lowering her head, she sighs.
"Why do I feel so...scattered? -Something is just bothering me..."
"You've grown fond of Kollector." He smirks. That type of expression he gives always provokes Kal.
"What?" Kalliste raises her head in shock, baffled by his words. She scoffs and laughs as no noise comes out. "You're wrong, Shang Tsung." Her eyes furrowed down at the sorcerer.
"No, I believe that I'm correct. Your emotions overwhelm you. Perhaps you find that he is difficult to understand or that he does not consider your intentions." He continues to grin unnervingly. "Yet, be forewarned. Insisting a relationship with him will result in a conflict under Shao Kahn's rule."
"Why is that..?" She asks.
"Because you will be accused of distracting him. Intimacy has consequences." He said monotonously.
Kalliste abruptly stands up. "I don't grow fond of him! I am annoyed by his constant distrust of me!"
"Distrust of what...?" He asks dimly. His eyes squinting at her comment.
"He accused me of rebelling against the Emperor with Princess Kitana." He raises his brow.
"Really...? Why would the Princess plan on scheming against the Emperor...?"
She rolled her eyes. "How would I know? She blames her problems on her 'father'." Kalliste stomps her foot, grinding her teeth in irritation. Shang Tsung stands up, straightening his back, pleased.
"Thank you for bringing this into my attention. ...Perhaps you should mend your feelings. Rid yourself of the thought of becoming close to that greedy dog." He strides away, leaving Kalliste in cold frustration. She clenches her fists, brushing her hair intensely.
Finally, as evening reaches. It was time to move forward onto Shang Tsung's island. In Shao Kahn's throne room, many of his allies and warriors gathered in a group, waiting until everyone was present and ready.
She stood with her arms crossed, waiting impatiently for the teleportation. Her bored eyes rise as it lands onto Kollector who had appeared in the room. She hesitated a bit and grew a sudden encouragement to charge her way to him.
"Kollector!" Her sudden voice caused a minor attention glare at her. She cleared her throat and calmed herself down. His eyes gleamed with attentiveness, glowing vividly as she approaches him. "Are you coming... to Shang Tsung Island..?"
"No. I must stay here with Shao Kahn." He declares, slightly peculiar by her concern of placement. Kalliste nods in compliance. Sighs noticeably, once more she goes back to the gathering group. Shang Tsung speaks but Kal hardly takes notices of his words. And soon after, everyone moved. Coming forth into a green, glowing portal.