The tournament resumed as daylight arose. This time Kalliste had dressed herself a bit more covered. A hood over her, a mask over her mouth and nose, covering the most of her appearance. Her insecurity grew intensely the more she fell public. Tugging onto her hood in staggering annoyance. Constantly remembering her sudden kiss. One that was truly idiotic, dense, and foolish! Kalliste repeatedly cursed to herself, clenching her teeth and lips; attempting to punish herself.

Why invest in such a vacuous act? Devoting on her feelings. All that rage inside her had made her feel a sudden longing for infatuation, yet throughout the years she had never experienced love. All around her was but an empty, passionless solitude. She had always reverted to her loneliness, resenting anyone who had confronted her.

Even so, her sudden endearment for Kollector had led her to many "What if" questions. Considering that he is a completely different race led to the fact he definitely would not find her attractive. But yet, caring for one another is not always about the appearance. It is what the soul and heart finds intriguing about one another. It was fear of disgust and resentment that gave Kalliste an unsteady mind.

But all she felt inside was the thought of being enamored. If she had to come face to face with him once more. She had wished that she would forget about anything passionate about anything that had occurred between them. Perhaps even vanish herself away from him. That's it, distancing was something she was fine with. If it came to those conclusions she would be perfectly well with that option.

Yet, time will tell.

Everyone gathered in the Koliseum where Princess Kitana was fighting against some unknown warrior. Perhaps an Earthrealmer or Outworlder yet, he was not that interesting. Kalliste continued to distance herself from being close to Shao Kahn's throne. As always, Kollector always stood by his side, always being that good little Nakadan dog.

She hardly observed the fight, hardly felt free at the moment. She could only feel the apprehensive tension tugging at her loins.

"Kill him!" The fight was just about to be done, Kitana raised her fans. Shao Kahn ordered that she execute him. But she hesitated. He exhales in disappointment, killing the opponent with a green energy, quite similar to Shang Tsung's magic.

"Kitana! You will join me."

A man in a blue attire comes forth to Shao Kahn. An icy breath he breathes.

"Shao Kahn! I challenge Scorpion, the murderer of my brother! You will bring him before me!"

"No one makes demands of the emperor! Reptile!" Shang Tsung exclaims as he orders the Reptilian warrior to come forth in action. Kalliste sighs, unsure why he called Reptile to fight. He couldn't even defeat the human and now a cryomancer?

(insert playable fight)

The cryomancer remains victorious. "I would kill you, but that is not my purpose here." He faces Shao Kahn.

"Your followers hold you in high esteem, warlord. They fight and die for your amusement. My brother participated in this folly. I do so to face his killer. " That sort of tone seemed rather disrespectful... Shao leans in.

"And you shall." The demoniac sorcerer known as Quan Chi summons his specter. Scorpion, the undead warrior appears from flames once more. Facing the icy warrior.

"What is this? You are not Sub-Zero!"

"I am his family and clan. I fight for his honor!"

"He had no honor! You will die as he did!"

(Insert playable fight)

Sub-Zero has defeated Scorpion. He charges an icy energy ball, but he is quickly stopped as a group of robotic agents appear all around him. Seizing him with electrical currents.

Two robotic men approach Shao Kahn; one red and one yellow - quite like ketchup and mustard. "Who now interrupts the Emperor's tournament?"

They both bow to him with respect. "We request that we may return him to our temple for judgment."

"And do I gain from granting this bold request?" Shao Kahn says.

"The Lin Kuei's loyalty and service."

"Very well. He is yours."

Many events transpired at once. It seemed as though the Earthrealmers including the Thundergod had entered, observing the koliseum.

Kalliste crosses her arms, she's growing tired and bored. It was just the same with the tournament on Shang Tsung's Island. Shao Kahn and Princess Kitana seem to have a heated conversation between each other. The princess walks away feeling quite saddened for some reason. No matter, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary. But yet her concentration swivels when she finally lays her eyes back on Kollector. Now the mere sight of him makes her feel queasy from the inside, her heart thumping violently.

FUCK!

She screamed from the inside. Her sudden movement indicated that something was strange about her, more like she was becoming demented.

"Your blood smells... enraged. Warm." A voice called out. Who else would talk so vividly about blood other than Skarlet? Kalliste stops and glanced at her. She sighs and calms herself.

"I can tell that you are deeply - ... troubled."

"You're just making observations. Leave me alone." Kalliste bit her lips in frustration.

"What troubles you Kallista? You can share your thoughts with me." Skarlet's voice curled, intrigued but held a discreet tone. Kalliste squints her eyes.

"We hardly bonded. I would not share anything with you." Kalliste spat. Skarlet smiles dimly, planting her hand against her shoulder, easing the Kal.

"We can bond as ... females. I understand that being surrounded by Shao Kahn's men is but - overwrought..." She grinned. Yet, Kalliste scoffed, continuing to resent her.

"You are not the only female here and I don't wish to talk to you considering our lack of relationship between us. You probably wish to consume my blood." Kalliste snarls. Roughly shoving away her shoulder from Skarlet's touch. Kalliste huffs and soon leaves the koliseum. Just the whole feeling of crowds made her sick and annoyed. This tournament just felt never-ending.

She lingered underneath the shadows, still near that battle arena. Crossing her arms, feeling more calmer as the lack of people made it seem leisurely. Yet that desired loneliness just disappeared as Shang Tsung decides to stride his way to her.

"Feeling troubled, Kalliste?" Kalliste exhales harshly, swaying her head in another direction. "Away with you Sorcerer."

He chuckles a bit, suddenly his finger lifted her chin. The type of contact making her feel disgusted and a bit surprised. "Your heart beats with heat. A type of... - endearment." Kalliste widens her eyes in peculiarity. Trying to pinpoint what he's trying to hint at.

"How was your first time..?"

What?

Kalliste steps back, taking in what he said. Her mouth faltered, her throat becoming dry as stone.

Suddenly he curls his hands, a type of green energy overcame him. Before her eyes, he turns into Kollector; grinning and chuckling wickedly. A flaming terror of emotion overwhelms Kal. Hardening wave of wraith overcame Kalliste - charging at him, gripping her hand onto his throat as he quickly turns back to his normal self. He still smiled at her.

Everything about yesterday was just a lie, all an illusion played by Shang Tsung. That damn sorcerer. She had completely forgotten his capability to shapeshifting.

"How pitiful. The lack of love destroys you, Kalliste. You still choose the unimportant path."

He smiles once more at her, as he clenches his fingers together, pulling onto her soul. She releases him as she mutely yells in agony, the pain inside her just aching as some sort of force was tearing her part. But he stopped, the green energy vanishes. His smile returns to an idle tone. Leaving her on tremble against the floor.

Feeling of emptiness engulfed her soul.

Her mind hollowed out.