Outworld was now ruled by Kotal Kahn. Now nowhere for Kollector and Kalliste was safe. But they had to find Mileena before anything else happens, at least they'll be apart of something.
They found themselves in a heated environment, a jungle. Where so many lively insects, pests, and animals roamed around freely. Plants and greenery wafting in their faces. She eyed Kollector for a moment, understanding that heat would not affect him so deeply as he was always bare at times; wearing his hood and trousers. Never wearing shoes- perhaps it would look silly on him.
Kalliste fanned herself.
"Kollector, do you know where we are?"
His back still turned to her as they continue walking in the jungle.
"We are in the Kuatan Jungle."
Kalliste glanced all over. Slightly unfamiliar with her surroundings. She lived mostly in the dry, monotonous Outworld for most of her time. Certain places she had never explored or been in.
Her feet met with water, glistening in the bright sunlight. Suddenly, she felt content with the surroundings, even with visible wildlife near them - the aching and desolate place they were previously in was wretched.
"I've not been here before..." Kalliste said. She tried making conversation as his back is still faced her. Kalliste peered as if she was waiting for something.
"Is that so..?" Kollector muttered. His tone was dismissive, causing Kalliste to feel faintly agitated. She didn't bother dawdling on that topic and pondered about something else. Catching up to Kollector's side, she ogled at him harmoniously. Her peering head was in his view, causing him to glance at her with dismay.
He continued to gawk at her as her behavior seemed a little bit odd. Then he stopped his movement against the jungle floor.
"What is it?" He questioned irritably.
Her face still gleamed pleasantly, clasping her two hands together in front of her body.
"Nothing. -I guess I'm just appeased that we are much closer." A gleeful smile graced her face. Kollector somewhat rolled his eyes - that faintly displeased face that was present. He swatted his head and continued to walk further into the jungle. Supposedly her behavior was out of the ordinary considering that she was always so reserved and careless - Finding that love had lifted her spirits after all this time. But it never was substantial for Kollector.
Kalliste could see it in his eyes; that irked and greyed out feeling in him.
Then her brightly lit face died out.
"Are you bothered?" She cocked her head at him.
Kollector's demeanor held nothing but blankless, but he soon turned to seek Kal's courteous face.
"No. I am solely keen on finding the others." Kal gave a stiff and unsatisfied expression.
Before Kal could speak any other word, a weapon of some kind grazed in between them. They both looked at the weapon; a golden kobu Jutsu sharply embedded with the ground.
"Not another move." A feminine voice called out. High up in the trees, Kalliste and Kollector both looked at the source. A figure jumping down - a familiar soul making their way at them.
"Tanya." Kalliste greeted out.
Tanya walked in a stifling manner. She had a smirk on her face while making her way towards them.
"What is your purpose here?" Tanya questioned.
Before Kalliste could step further to speak, Kollector went forward instead.
"We are here for the Empress's service." His words curled, that obscure accent of his.
"You still assume you are apart of the empress's court?"
"You left us." Kalliste bitterly exclaimed. Her brows furrowed in irritation. Tanya rolled her pearl set of eyes.
"As I recall, you came fetching for him-" She pointed towards Kollector. "We wouldn't dare wait for you as our empress is certainly more worthy than him."
Kalliste huffed with inflamed frustration for the Edenian.
"Well, looks like you made it in one piece. I am impressed." Tanya glared at them with scornful grins. A set of footsteps came closening in on them. Empress Mileena comes in view, she looks compelling as ever as she strides her way closer.
"Kalliste. - Kollector. What brings you here?" Mileena says. Tanya turns to her empress, approaching her.
"-These two wish to join your court despite leaving you upon your rescue back in Z'unkahrah." Both Mileena and Tanya conversed with each other under the glistening jungle heat. "I say that they are unreliable. Two disreputable of your kind, empress."
Kalliste and Kollector could not completely understand their conversation of plotting. Kalliste continued to feel entirely sour for Tanya's unwelcoming presence. She turned to Kollector who blankly waited for the two Edenian's conclusion.
"Kollector, are you sure you wish to side with them?" Kalliste unsurely asked. His eyes slowly glared at his. A sudden dark scowl set within his orbs.
"There is no purpose without servicing Shao Kahn's descent, Kalliste. You wish not to serve, then part your ways." Such swift darkening expressions set an ache within her heart. She was feeling too lighthearted, too fragile in this relationship of passion. His sudden tone of bitterness was unnecessary, but the terms of service and what it leads to was important for him. Always so keen on rewards, wealth, and gold. She kept forgetting about his obsession.
He walked away from her and approached the two.
"What is your decision, empress?" He lightly bowed, presenting that courteous mannerism. Mileena glanced at him.
"Very well then, you've served my father for many years. There will be no wasting your subjection."
Kalliste peered at their little grouping.
"Then what will my use be to you, empress?" Kalliste called out. They were already making their way back when Mileena approached Kalliste.
Her piercing gold eyes gazed at the outworlder.
"I'm not certain. You've defiled my orders before, abandoning me when I was necessitated by Havik, and leaving me to be captured by the Osh-tekk." Her words puzzled Kalliste for a moment, guilt-tripping her. In the far distance, she could see Tanya smirk while Kollector did nothing to the discussion.
The fault in Kal's expression was clear as Mileena had already settled with her resolution. The silence was all Kalliste could bear.
"That's what I thought." Mileena departed away from Kalliste. She stood there stiff and cold as if frostbite had taken over her body despite being so drenched in heat. Kalliste wanted to scream her real reasons out in the open, but saying that she did all those things because she cared for Kollector is difficult to bring out. It didn't matter to anyone anyway.
Kalliste ran up to Kollector's side, a hand on his shoulder to cease his movement.
"Kollector." When their eyes met, a solemn look on her face that held pulling trance.
"Please. You have to persist Mileena. I did all those things so that I could save you. Without me, you would not be here." Kalliste glared at his eyes with intensity, her distress overpowering her desperation. Her hand held tightly around his, a softening touch around his own - giving sparse serenity.
He exhaled a faint scowl.
"I will declare your reasons to the empress." He gave a sharp smile at her. Kollector tried departing his way from her but Kalliste gripped tightly once more around his wrist before he could walk away. Eyes of darkness peered into his. A more serious expression than before.
"Do not forget what I have done for you. My heart is still at ease for you and I hope you do not spoil it. - I will be around the jungle, considering that I am not welcomed..." Kalliste could only show her affection through her hands but glanced from afar as Tanya peered at the two. Kalliste grimaced in impediment and parted her ways from Kollector, their hands leaving contact as Kalliste drifted into the shades of the jungle.
i cant wait for mk11 ultimate