She slept quite pleasantly for the first time in forever, a good feeling that held onto her. Kalliste dressed herself up and quickly headed outside her tent.
The weather appeared to be the same as before; the gazing sunlight with blissful breezes. Only a few lively tarkatans roamed the camp, doing chores and such. Kalliste immediately sought out Mileena out of her tent, she was gazing upon a large table where Tanya lingered.
Her curiosity peeked as she wondered for Kollector's whereabouts. Even though she resented him, she kept her concern for him.
She approached Mileena and Tanya by the table; glaring at a map of some kind.
"Empress?" Kalliste called out.
Mileena glanced at her then back at the table.
"What is it?" She replied bitterly. Her voice was raspy as ever.
Kalliste blankly gawked at her.
"—-Have you... have you seen— Kollector?" She asked. Mileena did not look back at her but continued on her task.
"How would I know? Why don't you go fetch for him? Considering your so concerned for him all the time..." Mileena said. Tanya snickered beside the empress to her comment. Smiling all over the place.
Kalliste took in her words.
"...Well, how are you doing, empress?" Kalliste asked.
"I'm fine, thank you," Mileena replied. "Now leave, I must hold my concentration if I wish for Kotal's head."
Then Kalliste began to question her empress. Wanting to say something to their current situation.
"—Can you still manage to overthrow Kotal? Most of your tarkatans are dead. This 'Kano' failed his task and you have no other allies to help you." Then Mileena began to grow a darkening aura, the comment she was given wasn't something she needed at all. She slowly rose her head at Kalliste, glaring at her.
"You dare doubt my position?! - You have no right to talk to me about authority! I am an empress!" Mileena exclaimed in anguish. She seemingly became erratic by the moment. Her voice was so guttural.
Tanya approached Kalliste pushing her aside then facing her.
"Best you remove yourself from here," Tanya said as she rashly pushed her aside. She kept smirking at Kalliste who continued to present an impartial expression. Kalliste kept herself stiff as she didn't understand why Mileena had to be so exasperated. But she had her father's stubbornness. Constantly being in service of many leaders was becoming a strain in her head and soul.
Kalliste parted herself from the two Edenians and continued to look around the camp.
She checked where Kollector last kept himself in, the tent to which she searched in; an unoccupied tent.
Kalliste pondered around the empty tent and could still smell his astringent scent. She had to admit that she was already missing him greatly, she knew he left for some collecting business. But where exactly could have gone? He can't bear himself inZ'Unkahrah - the capital city of Outworld.
But maybe he was desperate, maybe he will stealth his way in and collect some extra material.
She had no place in the empty tent no more and soon exited out to where a voice called out to her.
"Kalliste." She turned her head to the source and soon noticed Rain gaining his way to her.
"Morning." Kalliste greeted in a faint tone.
"Morning." Rain said in return.
She smiled softly but reverted her expression to a pessimistic mood. "Have you seen... Kollector?" She asked.
He titled his head imperceptibly. "...I have seen him quite earlier before. He left the camp without any words to the empress." Kalliste blankly stared at him then at the ground. Her expression and behavior was easy to read from Rain's perspective. He knew that she was gripped onto Kolletor's disappearance.
"You care for him." He stated. Kalliste glimpsed at him with sharpness. She stayed silent for a moment until Rain came closer.
"Perhaps you should find him if you care so deeply about him. If you two have gone into a dispute, you should dwell in what your heart aches for." His words were so imaginative and moving. Kalliste contemplated for a moment until Rain walked away from her - leaving her to her thoughts.
She felt herself heat up in aching frustration. She had always searched for him, fetched for him like a nomadic animal off a leash.
Kalliste took a long observation of the pitiful camp she resided in. Mileena seemed to be worsening, slowly becoming insane by her failed attempts at abolishing Kotal Kahn. She didn't have anything important anymore, she was nothing compared to Shao Kahn's supreme court.
She rushed into the tent she occupied herself in and quickly gathered her belongings. - she was going to do what her heart desired from the start.
Then she finally left the grounds.
—-
The journey there was mellow and quick. Kalliste made sure she was stealthy and easily covered in her black hood. Though unlike Kollector he couldn't hide his distinct features. Nor did he covered himself with more clothes. Yet she kept doubting herself if Kollector was even in Z'unkahrah. If his mind was in a dark state or desperate - he would go anywhere to get extra gold and riches.
Kalliste looked like any other Outworlder, so if she kept to herself and not reveal her face, she would deem herself good. She kept herself close to the shadows as much as she could; now begins the investigation.
The streets were quiet, peaceful as you would suggest. But not in the open should she be in - more so in the alleyways.
She wandered into the shaded alleyways, it was dry and crowded with trash, barrels, and unneeded objects. It still stunk of dried blood, even the tart soils remained with tainted red. She passed through entrances in which she heard various sounds; mumbling arguments, clanking of things, and even screams of such.
A group of guards turned the corner to which they began headed her way. Immediately she lowered her head in an attempt to hide her face.
They did not care. Good.
She looked back at the passing guards and began to walk forward at a faster pace.
A woman suddenly appeared from one of the buildings, her expression of fear was visible as she stumbled away from the place. Closer and closer she could hear the struggle from inside.
Cautiously she laid herself against the wall and peered into the open entrance were seen a large figure holding up a man off the ground, choking the man. The silhouette holding him was extremely familiar. Kalliste began to widen her eyes at the scene and slowly made her way in.
The shape on its back was covered with cloth as it was covering a set of arms.
"Kollector!" Kalliste called out. Her voice was slightly trembling by the scene. Her calls made the choked man and the figure glanced at her. Without hesitation, she came closer to them.
Upon further observation, her eyes were met with orange scowls. He continued to seize the peasant who continued to struggle and gulp for air. Kalliste looked around the dingy room where there were multiple bodies of older men deposited against the ground. A blood bath.
Kalliste didn't stop Kollector's actions; he proceeded to end the man's life. His body fell roughly onto the floor. Kaliste blankly stared.
She heard chains and jewels sing as she looked at Kollector with wistfulness. It was not her fault that their relationship withered, the dilemma resided on him. Then she began to approach him gently. He crouched down as he gathered plentiful goods that he had found; Kal's hand placed on his arm with ease.
"Kollector." She muttered. "...I don't want us to depart. -And I care deeply for you." She reflected, her head lowering to a state of despondency. Kollector remained silent, not making eye contact for a moment.
Then, sudden tears had shattered through her eye sockets. A pitiful state to be in. Crying and lamenting.
"I do not need your tears. It is not wanted." He said. They faced each other as her reddened eyes gradually became dry. His expression was stiff and stern. But his hands reach upon her face and with a finger, he smudges his thumb against her eyes. His tone was harsh and resentful, but his actions were tender.
"I wish not to linger here, we must go." Kalliste was still a bit numb, but Kollector roughly pulled her away from the scene and hurriedly exited the building. Kollector checked his surroundings as they began to pace themselves out of Z'unkahrah. The state of their relationship was still unclear as Kalliste began to feel quite sorrowful and fragile.
Running and running, they not cared who watched them. They did not care what they looked like, but all they wanted was to be together once again.