The Outworld warriors gathered around in Shao Kahn's throne room, quite unsure what to do after his deadly defeat. Kalliste crossed her arms pondering alongside Shao Kahn's allies.
"Shao Kahn is finished." Says the notorious warrior; Goro.
"Mileena is his heir. She should rule." Baraka suggests. Shang Tsung scoffs.
"Mileena? She exists only because of my sorcery." Says Shang Tsung.
"And you breathe because I restrain mine." A familiar voice declares from the corridors, leading inside the throne room was Shao Kahn. - He strides in weakly, yet he appears well and alive. Everyone gasps in shock, astonished at the breathing Shao Kahn.
"Emperor!"
"You live!"
Alongside the lively emperor was the demon sorcerer and the clingy Kollector. "I am not so easily killed. Quan Chi accelerated my recovery. Everyone bows down at the sight of Shao Kahn - Kalliste too.
"Emperor, I-" Shang Tsung stammers.
"Not. One. Word." Shao Kahn spat in anger. "Because of you, Outworld can no longer merge with Earthrealm!" Once again, the sorcerer fails his master, - It is almost amusing to Kalliste.
"There may yet be an alternative, Emperor." Says Quan Chi. "Invasion."
Shang Tsung is stunned by the suggestion. "-Invasion?!" He says in surprise. Seems that suggestion was quite dangerous...? Shao Kahn raises his hand Shang Tsung, stopping his words.
"Do you mock me? Sindel's Ward prevents me from setting foot in Earthrealm." Shao Kahn says in bitterness, -pressing his hand against his bloodied chest.
"Have you considered why your wife and empress chose to betray you in this particular fashion?" Quan Chi says.
"Of course. But even after millennia, her motives are a mystery." Shao Kahn replies. The Kahn reaches for his throne. The demon proceeds to talk about his new plan of this invasion.
"-She realized that the safeguards afforded by the Elder Gods through Mortal Kombat are but fiction. She sacrificed herself to give protection the Elder Gods could not. So Earthrealm could not suffer as Edenia."
"Indeed." Shao Kahn replies.
"I have mastered the spells necessary for her resurrection. Her ward will be nullified. - And with it the barrier that prevents your entry to Earthrealm. - I will return her to you, of course. You will find her much more... cooperative."
Shao Kahn glares at the sorcerer, taking in his suggestion of plan. "This is a very magnanimous offer."
"I wish only to serve, Emperor."
"I am weary of sorcerers, Quan Chi. Prove your worth. Bring her to me." The sorcerer malevolently grins, he then proceeds to follow his task. As he leaves, the Kahn glares at Shang Tsung.
"-You have continued to disappoint me, sorcerer. Now I question your place in my court." Shang Tsung's demeanor falls short in shame. "-Emperor, I-" Shao Kahn slams his fists on the arm-rest. Silencing his stammer.
"Enough out of you." He mutters viciously. He then faces everyone who remains in his throne room.
"We shall invade Earthrealm. - Gather all troops, gather your weapons. Earthrealm is bound to the taking." He grins wickedly under his skull helmet. Everyone cheers - raising their hands in the air, spreading out as they prepare for the invasion. Shao Kahn dismisses the sorcerer who still lingers by his side. Kalliste can feel herself smile - no longer does that scornful smile of his appears.
"You're no longer smiling." Kalliste approaches him - jeering her expression at him, feeling quite derisive. The sorcerer glares at her - finding her displeasing at the moment. Her cocky attitude was not something he needed.
"Please, my place remains." He gestures - bringing back the snide expression. "I suggest you remove that scathing grin off your face - it brings nothing but ignominy."
Kalliste's face then shifts to a more irritated expression, rolling her eyes at him. Facing closer to him.
"You are but filled with ignominy. - Impersonating as Kollector, toying with my emotions!" Her lungs suddenly spew heat, boiling from the inside out of anguish. All he gave was the same mocking face.
"My, what lascivious acts have you carried out with that Nakadan...?" Kalliste's eyes of fury drops in profound puzzlement. Shang Tsung finds himself smiling, dimly chortling.
"Where were you yesterday at noon...?"
He scoffs, dismissing her perplex tone. "Like I said, I had pressing matters to attend to. -The Black Dragon offered their new weaponry."
"Your behavior earlier seemed rather erratic. - Seeing you stumble like a sheep was beyond amusing." He dimly chuckled under his breath. Meanwhile, Kalliste felt cold all of a sudden, stiff in her tracks. Her eyes losing color, a triggering feeling hitting her ribcage.
"-Perhaps you should venture to Earthrealm. Invasion has commenced." He eyes at once more, leaving her cold in her stance.
She ponders, still frozen by their conversation, remembering the previous encounter with her and Kollector. But an abrupt thud vanished her empty mind. - He could be lying, toying her once more. A lie within a lie. Overall, she wasn't entirely sure.
"Kalliste! - Join the forces and invade Earthrealm. Do not stand there like a pathetic whelp." He yells menacingly. Kalliste nods quickly, leaving the throne room.
Gathering all valuables, assembling all her worthy weapons. Gleaming at those butterfly swords she had recently obtained, eagerly keen on using them. All troops and allies had rushed through the corridors. leading themselves to an active portal. Where all gathered souls paced their way to the opening to another realm.
She stopped in her tracks, gleaming at another. Kalliste sought for another familiar individual; Kollector. She slipped her hand inside of her jacket, gripping tightly onto a piece of regalia. Her eyes fell hazy, uninterested by the mere sight of it.
Kalliste began to make her way to him. "Kollector." He turned around him the sudden voice that had entered his mind. Her expression viewed to be reserved and expressive. That same expression she had from the very beginning she came upon this place.
As he turned to her attention, her hand extended out to him; a violet amulet offered itself to him. She thrust her hand once more, indicating that he should take it.
"Take it."
His orange orbs gaze her, yet they drop onto the piece of jewelry laid against her palm. Yet he could not resist the temptation of a valuable piece of thing. She had tensed his hesitation, which was odd. His greedy hands would've immediately snatched it away from her.
"TAKE IT. - Or I will discard it. It has no use to me." His hands continued to lower to hers, slowly reaching that piece of jewelry.
"I hardly contributed in... aiding you during these days. Now you offer it to me..?" He says, uncertain with her sudden offer.
She scornfully smiles at him. "Yes, I offer it to you now. I'm unsure how this invasion will transpire but, perhaps I should spoil your greed." Her face remains stiff and restrained.
"...No."
The stiffness in her expression shifted to astoundment. Confused deeply by his answer, almost frustrated by his words.
But she continues to shove the piece of jewelry to him, demanding that he take it. Suddenly he grabs both of her arms pulling her to a more secluded area - away from the public, away from the gathering forces of Shao Kahn.
Shoved against a wall - Kalliste grows suddenly appalled.
"You act as if nothing has happened, Kalliste."
Kalliste raises her expression in peculiarity. "Have you forgotten already...?" His finger travels to her mouth, hovering over the mask that is removed by his touch- no longer covering her face. He seemed to be so forceful and confident in something, but he soon fumbles his limbs, slightly backing away from her. Snarling under his breath, an overwhelming feeling just engulfed his assertiveness.
Kalliste could only watch him falter, eyeing his odd behavior.
"...-Why did you lay your.. -muzzle -on... me..?" A noticeable diffident tone was kept in his words, his hands delicately shuddering.
So it was true, it was not an illusion. Perhaps Shang Tsung knew about it, but maybe he didn't. It was beyond confusing yet he somehow sensed something impactful had happened between them.
Kalliste sighed; shattered by her foolish feelings. Leaning herself against the marble wall.
"Is this your act, Shang Tsung?" She said nonchalantly.
Kollector grows confused. "No. The sorcerer does not control me..." Says Kollector. Her eyes slowly glanced at him.
"...I did it as an act of frustration... I have never experienced the quality of intimacy. -Years of being alone will do that to you..." Her view ignored him for a bit, - reverting her perspective onto him. Her tender face vanished as she stared at him with her usual impassiveness.
"Never mind. You're not one to propel your sympathy with another soul. - Let us move past this-" Kalliste begins to walk away, resuming her quest to the invasion. Her incomprehension feels so bitter, Kollector was still heavy with the weight of something that seemed to be disregarded.
Kalliste leaves the area, traveling to Earthrealm - a war commences. Unknownly awaiting the unexpected defeat.