Chapter XII
Collateral
A low rumble of thunder rolled in as rain began drizzling from the sky. The remaining Shokan tended to their burnt Prince, disregarding their assault on the Sky Temple for the moment. Kitana got to her feet, rubbing feeling back into her arm, and could only stare at Scorpion. He remained silent and motionless on his knees, his arms limp at his sides and his head sunk.
Although he had been a frequent presence in the battles between Outworld and Earthrealm—sometimes as an ally, sometimes a foe—she knew little of him save that he was a spectre seeking vengeance. Only moments ago, he was a mortal man, and she guessed he too had been remade in this new world. But now …
She approached him and heard his raspy breathing, which sounded pained and sorrowful. He looked at his hands, and though his face was nothing more than a bare skull, she sensed his despair. She understood the same thing that happened to Mileena had happened to him. For whatever reason, he'd been reverted to his old self just as she was.
"Scorpion." He turned to her, and though his ghostly gaze gave her a chill, she said, "I'm sorry."
"Kitana!" Mileena called out from the temple's entrance. "Let's go! Before they regroup!"
Scorpion put his mask and hood back on and stood up with a sigh. "Go," he said. "I'll meet you up there."
Without another word, he disappeared in a burst of flames.
"I can't tell what's going on down there."
Sareena stepped away from the window, feeling a wave of dizziness from the Sky Temple's great height. Looking down, she imagined what it would be like falling to the ground far below—and remembered Ashrah's bloodcurdling scream—and it made her stomach churn.
She also didn't like having her back to Shang Tsung. He stood leaning against the wall on the other side of the chamber, his eyes closed and hands in front of him with his fingers folded together. He chanted something under his breath and seemed to be meditating or praying.
Looking at him, differing emotions clashed about what he did to Ashrah. Part of her felt sorry for the dead huntress, but another was glad to be rid of her. She wondered if they could've been allies or even friends under different circumstances. And even if the huntress was her enemy, did she deserve to die the way she did?
Yet another part of her wondered why Tsung interfered at all. Mere sadism? Or did he genuinely think he was helping? Somehow, that seemed even more unsettling. Nevertheless, even if he had "helped" her, she knew she'd be a fool to regard him as an ally.
She brushed the thoughts away and said, "I think I saw a fire, but we're too high up. I don't know what's happening."
He didn't answer, still focused on whatever he was doing. Before she could say any more, Havik returned, sweating and out of breath. Upon entering, the Cleric immediately collapsed into the nearest seat. "Were you attacked, too?" she asked. "Are there more?"
"No," he said, gasping for air. "The lift is below. I had to take the stairs to get up here from the library. This place is exhausting when you can't teleport." He wiped his forehead and looked around, taking note of the damage and their state. "What did I miss?"
"Little of importance, Cleric," Tsung answered, his eyes still closed. "I healed the demon. She freed me. We killed some vermin."
"I see," Havik said. "I must say I'm surprised you're still here. I would've thought you'd escape at first chance."
"That's exactly what I intend to do."
In the corner, there was a burst of fire that startled everyone inside. On reflex, Sareena drew her kama blades, thinking another enemy was attacking. Similarly, both Tsung and Havik braced themselves for combat, but when the flames cleared, only Scorpion remained.
He looked at her, then gave a brief glance at Shang Tsung. "He healed you."
"Yes," she said. "I'm sorry. We were under attack, so I—"
"Don't apologize," he said. "It's what we came here for."
She nodded but noticed his tone sounded somber. Looking at him, she realized he'd changed. Though still clad in familiar yellow and black, his ninja uniform had become more sinister in appearance. Then she got a good look at his eyes.
"What happened to you?" she asked. "You … you're a …"
"A spectre again," he finished. "I don't know how or why. I just changed back."
She looked to Havik, expecting some explanation, but the Cleric was silent and appeared grave. Thunder rumbled as the rain outside increased. Scorpion stood in silence, his head sunk and eyes closed. Fists clenched, his breathing intensified, and Sareena flinched when he suddenly howled and punched in the wall behind him.
Feeling slowly started to return to Kitana's arm. It throbbed with pain, but she supposed she was fortunate it wasn't torn from her body. The taste of blood was still in her mouth, and she suspected she'd be feeling sore for days when this was over.
Her companions didn't look much better. Even Ermac was winded and disheveled. He hid it better though, still standing up straight and appearing stoic as ever. Mileena, too, was bruised and battered, but at the moment, the rickety lift seemed to worry her more than anything. She clung to the railing, her eyes shut and body stiff, and held her breath every time it swayed.
As they approached the upper levels, Kitana turned to Ermac and felt a chill looking at his eerie green eyes. She didn't forget he was Shao Kahn's deadliest enforcer, but despite her unease in his presence, it seemed he was one of her allies for the time being.
"Who else is here?" she asked. "Is Raiden coming? Do you know who this Dragon King is?"
He sighed and nodded. "We know. Unfortunately, we don't have many allies, Princess." The lift slowed and came to a stop with a loud clang. As he opened the latch, he added, "We'll warn you in advance: you probably won't like who you find up here."
She stepped inside the chamber and quickly noted their numbers were indeed low. She saw Scorpion and knew Havik by his mangled face. She didn't recognize the woman, but the Brotherhood of the Shadow tattoos on her arms weren't encouraging.
And then she saw him. "You?!"
Shang Tsung stood in the neighboring chamber with his back to her and arms outstretched. He turned and muttered, "Pleasure to see you, too, your highness."
She backed against the wall, feeling she'd made a terrible mistake or walked into a trap. She drew her fans and readied herself for battle. "I knew you'd be involved with this, you bastard! I remember what you did!"
"Princess Kitana," Havik said, standing. He held his hands up, and his torn face made it look as though he was grinning. "If you've come this far then you at least know something is amiss. I realize we are not exactly your preferred choice of companions, but as of now, we're the only friends you have."
Her eyes moved from one person to another. Mileena was Mileena, and even she looked confused and uncertain. She barely knew Scorpion but understood he could be an ally. She didn't trust Ermac but saw him come to her aid against the Shokan. She allowed Havik's goals might align with hers even if he was only interested in chaos.
"You cannot expect me to trust Shang Tsung."
"I'm not asking you to," Tsung replied. In the other room, he waved his hands in circular motions while chanting a strange spell. With an unnatural gust of wind and crack of lightning, a swirling portal opened before him. "I'm leaving. If you people wish to join me, that's your business."
"Where will this take us?" Ermac asked.
"Outworld."
He offered a final parting sneer and then disappeared into the portal. Ermac quickly followed, and Scorpion motioned the woman to do the same. Mileena moved toward the vortex but seemed hesitant. She looked back at Kitana, expecting her to join her.
"But … Raiden. We need him. Don't we?"
"Princess," Havik said. "I know how this will sound—especially coming from me—but I would not count on the Thunder God under these circumstances. Onaga, the Dragon King, has reshaped the world as we know it. Who knows what we'll find when Raiden returns? And what if he believes this world is worth defending?"
She shivered, remembering how Jade insisted she just accept things as they are.
Leaving it at that, Havik turned and entered the portal. This time Mileena went in, too, leaving Kitana with only Scorpion in the Sky Temple. Outside, thunder growled and lightning flashed as it rained harder. If she still wished to see the Thunder God, she wouldn't have to wait long.
"Scorpion," she said. "I … we've never known one another. But I know you're a man of honor. If you tell me it's not worth waiting for Raiden, I'll believe you."
He looked at her with solemn eyes. "You don't need me to tell you not to trust Shang Tsung or Havik. But right now, we're the best chance you have. If nothing else, you'll get answers."
She bit her lip and shifted her weight. It felt wrong going on without at least consulting Raiden. It felt wrong without Liu. The very idea of abiding Shang Tsung made her skin crawl. But, as Ermac himself said earlier: strange circumstances lead to strange alliances.
She sheathed her weapons and joined Scorpion in the portal.
Sareena shook off the tingling chills of realm travel and waited for Scorpion. Nearby, Ermac glared at Shang Tsung—likely making sure the sorcerer didn't close the portal before the others could join them. Havik appeared next, with Mileena shortly after. Finally, after a few moments, Scorpion and Kitana came through.
Tsung waved his hands, and with some more magic words, the swirling portal shrank. It closed with a flash like lightning and left nothing but a slight breeze in its wake. That done, he started up the pathway to a cottage nestled amidst the woods ahead. Ermac and Havik followed. Mileena hesitated a moment, looking at her sister, and then went with them.
Sareena turned to Scorpion and felt she should say something. Guilt nagged at her, and she feared his reversion into a spectre might have been Onaga punishing him for helping her. Had she brought this on him? And what would it mean for his family? Even if they were still okay, could he stay with them as he was?
He brushed himself off and headed for the cottage without a word. She had heard he was a man of honor, but she also knew of his infamous temper. Kuai Liang once said Scorpion could sometimes get lost in his anger and lust for revenge. If Onaga tampered with his family—or she was somehow to blame—would Scorpion's wrath aid them or be their downfall?
"Are you okay?"
She turned to find Kitana staring at her. She hesitated, realizing she'd never encountered the Princess while she still lived, but chose not to burden her with her troubles. "It's nothing."
"We weren't introduced," she said. "I'm Kitana."
"I know," she replied. "Everyone knows who you are. I guess, uh, you wouldn't remember me though?"
"Oh? We've met?"
"Sort of. You were a revenant at the time." She let out an awkward chuckle. "You tried to kill me."
Kitana blinked at her, and it took her a moment to discern the meaning of that. "Oh," she said. "Yes … no. That wasn't me. Sort of." She scratched her hair, and even she seemed to have trouble explaining it. "My revenant was my … future self? I'm from … Kronika pulled me from the past." Upon seeing the bemused expression that inspired, she added, "Don't ask. It's confusing."
"Okay," she said, shrugging. "Well, my name is Sareena anyway."
They shook hands and started toward the cottage. Outworld twilight was cool and calm and turned the sky to a deep purple. The setting sun was as blood, leaving the land in a dim orange glow. A gentle breeze drifted through the clearing, causing the bare trees around them to sway. Dead leaves lined the path leading to the cottage.
"Don't take this the wrong way," Kitana said. "And I realize these are unusual circumstances for all of us, but …" She gestured at the tattoo on Sareena's arm. "I know that symbol."
She sighed, feeling self-conscious about the mark branded on her. "Yes," she said. "I used to serve the Brotherhood of the Shadow. I was … I was one of Quan Chi's assassins." She sighed again and shook her head. "But I'm not a part of that anymore. I turned against the Brotherhood. I swear: I want nothing to do with Quan Chi."
Kitana stopped as they reached the cottage door and looked at her a moment. Her expression was blank, and Sareena couldn't guess what she was thinking. Finally, she shrugged and said, "I used to serve Shao Kahn. Who am I to judge?"
The house was a simple, homey place that looked like it had been abandoned for some time. Cloth sheets covered most of the furniture, and everything had a layer of dust coating it. Beyond the living area was a small dojo for exercise and martial arts training.
Inside, Ermac had already settled into his usual levitating meditation pose. Scorpion found a dark corner to brood in, while Mileena and Havik rummaged around—whether actually looking for something or simple boredom, Sareena couldn't tell. Shang Tsung, however, was inspecting the floor.
"Where are we?"
"This is the home of Bo' Rai Cho," he replied. "He was the master who trained Liu Kang. At least he was in the real world—I can only guess what he does in this one."
"Why did you bring us here?" Kitana asked. "Were you hoping to find him?"
"Absolutely not," he said. "The last thing I want is to encounter that fat oaf. And luckily, it would appear he hasn't been here for some time."
"Then why are we here?"
Tsung smiled upon discovering the trapdoor to a cellar. He pushed the table over it aside and pulled the door open. A cloud of dust erupted, as if the cellar coughed it at him. Undeterred, he reached inside and revealed a dusty black bottle of what appeared to be wine.
"Lo, the heavens smile upon us for a change."
Sareena hid her giggle as Havik and then Mileena both grabbed bottles of wine for themselves. Kitana, however, wasn't amused. She glared at the sorcerer, hands of her hips, and seemed to be contemplating killing him.
"So, this Dragon King," she said. "What does he want?"
"Why are you asking me?" he said, opening his bottle. "You still think I'm somehow behind this?"
"I know the last thing I remember before waking up in Edenia was word spreading you killed Shao Kahn and Sindel," she said. "That means you had access to Kronika's Hourglass. So, as I see it, if anyone should know how Onaga accomplished this, it would be you."
"You would be right, but I was denied my chance at reshaping history. You have your hero, Liu Kang, to thank for that." He took a swig from the wine and savored its taste. "According to the Cleric, Onaga is using something else."
Kitana seemed puzzled at his mention of Liu Kang, but before she could question him, Havik said, "Yes. Raiden's library confirmed what I feared. Onaga did not merely alter time. He has reforged reality itself."
Though still suspicious of Tsung, she turned to Havik and said, "Fair enough. Explain … and how do we stop him?"
Night fell as Havik spoke. A small fire was lit along with some candles, and the woods outside Bo' Rai Cho's home were quiet. Scorpion and Ermac, though both listened, stayed by the door and kept watch.
Kitana also listened, ignoring the troubling irony the one among them that seemed to best understand what was happening was the madman missing half of his face. From her and Mileena's experiences, she'd already guessed much of it, but it helped having details and context about who their enemy was and what he sought.
She told what she and Mileena encountered on their journey. The presence of the Seidan Guard in Edenia confirmed what Havik alluded to: although the Dragon King granted them a seeming utopia with all their desires, what he really sought was perfect control. He wanted them placated so his followers could enforce his rule.
"I would imagine," Havik said. "Once your realm was locked up, Onaga would have the Seidan Guard spread to other realms. So even if all reality doesn't collapse onto itself, we would see a new totalitarian empire across all realms. Those of us with no place to fit in will be wiped out."
"How did he accomplish this?" she asked. "What could be more powerful than Kronika's Hourglass?
"The myths and legends are scattered," Havik began. "All vague and incomplete. I can't say how much of it is lost to age, and how much of it was altered from the shifting timelines and changing reality.
"From what I was able to piece together in Raiden's library," he continued. "Long ago, in the great darkness before existence, there were only the Elder Gods and … something else. An entity. A being. The Elder Gods shattered this being, and in doing so, created the realms and life on them. They did it with a weapon called the Kamidogu.
"Afterward, they split the Kamidogu into six pieces and hid one on each of the six keystone realms: Earth, Outworld, Edenia, the Netherealm, Seido, and the Chaosrealm. The Kamidogu, put back together, is an engine of unspeakable power. Power that forged reality itself."
Kitana exchanged a look with Mileena. In their years serving Shao Kahn, they had both encountered obscure cults that claimed to worship … something. Something they said made the fabric of reality. During one such encounter, she recalled a cultist saying something that made little sense to her at the time, but chilled her blood thinking of it now:
We are but the dream of one being. It seeks to wake.
"So," Mileena said. "Onaga … you're saying he's found the Kamidogu?"
"He has sought it for millennia," Ermac said. "Through multiple timelines. This might not even be the first time he's acquired the six pieces."
"I remember," Sareena said. "When I was in the Netherealm, there were rumors. Some cultists looking for a relic that had been found by an old man. Everyone was so focused on Liu Kang and Kitana's revenants, I didn't think much of it."
"Yes," Havik said. "And thanks to Raiden's efforts to prevent Armageddon, no one kept the Dragon King from finding the Kamidogu. With all eyes focused on Kronika's attempt to create a new age, no one stopped his resurrection."
Kitana stood up and paced around. All of it made her stomach churn. To have reality itself remade around her—to close her eyes one moment and wake up in a completely different world and history. And just the idea this happened under everyone's noses. It made her wonder what other threats were out there, forgotten to the constant rewriting of history.
"What can we do?" she asked. "Do you have a plan?"
"Based on my readings," Havik said. "There's only one likely place Onaga would be doing this: the Nexus—a realm outside the realms. It is the center of all things. The Kamidogu's power will be at its most potent there."
"So, we get to the Nexus, and we …" She trailed off, uncertain how to finish. Fight the Dragon King? How could they fight a being that can remake reality as he sees fit?
"Shinnok's Amulet is the key. It activates the Kamidogu like a trigger. If we can get that, we have a chance."
From a darkened corner of the cottage, Shang Tsung began to laugh. "A chance for what? Assuming you even get close to the Amulet, what then? You people don't really think you can use the Kamidogu against Onaga, do you?"
The idea hadn't occurred to Kitana. She couldn't imagine trying to bend such a weapon to her will. But looking at Havik, and the hesitance in his eyes, she saw controlling the Kamidogu had at least crossed his mind. She then looked at Shang Tsung, and imagining him controlling it chilled her blood.
"Don't look at me like that, Princess," he said, sneering. "I'm not going anywhere near the Dragon King or his weapon."
She blinked at him, honestly surprised. She looked at the others, and they all seemed to be as well. It was Ermac who voiced their thoughts: "You expect us to believe that, sorcerer? You, who came so close to controlling the Hourglass? As if you wouldn't kill for the chance to reshape the realms however you please?"
"Of course I would," he replied. "But consider what we are dealing with. We are talking about a device made by the Elder Gods to be used by the Elder Gods. A device that forged reality itself. It will certainly kill any one of us if we tried to use it."
"Even you?" Mileena asked.
"If I had time," he said. "Time to study it, understand its power … maybe, with my sorcery, I could wield it. Time I won't have if the Dragon King is bearing down on me. Make no mistake, this Kamidogu—if the legends are true—was not meant for mortal hands." He took a swig of the wine he was drinking. "Which should also give you an indication of Onaga's power if he is wielding it."
On that, another earthquake tore through the land—longer and more violent than any previous one. Kitana and her companions clung to whatever they could to keep their balance. Shelves in Bo' Rai Cho's home fell over, a ceiling beam cracked, and in the cellar, multiple wine bottles crashed onto the floor.
When the shaking finally stopped, they all looked at one another, and their collective dread was palpable.
"And he wields it imperfectly," Ermac said. "Shang Tsung is right. None of us can dare risk using the Kamidogu. Our goal should be getting the Amulet away. Even if Onaga is too strong to face in combat, at least reality won't tear itself apart."
"That means this reality is the one we'll have going forward," Sareena said. "If we can stop him from rewriting it any more than he already has, then this is it—for better or worse."
Kitana thought about it, and her immediate reaction was relief. Unless Onaga changed things even more before it was over, she could still have Edenia and her parents. Jade would still have her family. That wouldn't be so terrible.
But she looked to Mileena and Scorpion and realized they wouldn't come out as good.
"Scorpion," Sareena said. "Are you … I mean, you—"
"My wife and son still live," he said. "If I must remain a spectre … it's a fair price."
"Mileena," said Kitana. "What about you?"
"I told you I'm not Edenian," she replied. "This is what I am."
She gulped down some wine, and though she sounded certain, Kitana heard the pain in her voice.
"Then we shouldn't delay," Ermac said. "The longer we wait, the more chance Onaga will change things or even reset reality from scratch. We'll rest for the night, and then we go to the Nexus. Shang Tsung can open a portal there."
"If you wish to march to your deaths, be my guests," Tsung said.
Ermac's eyes narrowed, and though masked, it was clear he scowled at the sorcerer. "Loathe as we are to say it," he said. "We will need all the help we can get fighting Onaga."
"Yes, you will. Pity it won't include me," he said. "You said it yourself: I am immune to Onaga's tampering with reality because I am 'unnatural.' He can change things as much as he wants—clearly, I won't be affected."
"He still considers you a threat," Sareena said. "He'll send more assassins."
"Not when he realizes I have no interest in fighting him. I'll simply go my own way, and eventually the Dragon King will realize I pose no danger to his utopia. Live and let live, as the Earthrealmers tend to say."
Kitana frowned—sickened that Shang Tsung was even present. Her thoughts returned to the Sea of Blood and the chain of disaster that led to it. Her anger grew as she understood that he was at the heart of it all.
"How do we know you won't betray us to Onaga to save your own skin?" she demanded. "How do we know this isn't one big trap?"
He sneered. "I realize you're late to the group, Princess, but Onaga's agents have been attempting to kill me since this started. He's made it quite clear he has no use for me."
"You think I would believe a single damn word that comes out of your mouth?" she snapped. "You think I haven't put together that everything that happened on the Sea of Blood was your doing? You didn't resurrect my mother just so she could fight Cetrion. You knew what would happen!"
"Ah," he said. "I did indeed resurrect your mother knowing she would restore Shao Kahn. And yes, I needed them to breach Kronika's defenses. But you overestimate me, Kitana. What happened to you … well, that was more your parents' idea. I would've been just as content to siege the Keep without your humiliation."
In a flash, her fans were drawn. Her blood boiled listening to him treat what happened so lightly—as if her suffering and the suffering of her loved ones was merely incidental.
"Spare me your indignation," he said. "None of it would've happened at all if not for your beloved anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He took another sip of wine, looking at her with an eyebrow cocked. He let it sit in his mouth a moment before a knowing smirk came to him.
"Oh, that's right," he said. "You wouldn't know."
"Know what?"
"This might be difficult to follow," he began. "As it involves time travel, but bear with me.
"Allow me to tell you what actually happened. Shortly before the assault on Kronika's Keep, Raiden passed his power and god-hood to Liu Kang knowing that was the only way he could match Kronika.
"You led your armies—with Queen Sheeva and her Shokan by your side—to the Keep and fought you way inside with the new Fire God. There, the Chosen One faced Kronika and defeated her, gaining control of the Hourglass. Congratulations, Princess … you won!"
He chuckled to himself as he took another sip, and Kitana felt a chill in her blood.
"But," he continued. "In order to use the Hourglass, he needed Kronika's crown which was destroyed in the battle. After her death, I was released from the void, and I offered to go back in time with Fujin and Nightwolf to steal the crown. And … well, you know the rest."
"What's your point, sorcerer?" she asked. "So, you lied and deceived Liu Kang in one timeline in order to lie and deceive the rest of us in another."
"So I thought. As you heard, I betrayed your mother and father and took their souls. You're welcome, by the way. I then defeated Kronika. With their power and the crown in my control, the Hourglass was mine."
His smirk curdled slightly. Though he relished telling this story, he seemed to also hate this next part.
"That was when Liu Kang—the Fire God I had left behind—appeared. As it turned out, when I offered to retrieve Kronika's crown, he looked into the Hourglass and foresaw only I could use it to defeat her." His smirk then turned into a cruel grin. "He knew what I would do and what would happen. But he allowed it to transpire anyway because he needed me to win."
Kitana hesitated—taking in what he said and its implications. She then scoffed at him. "I don't believe you."
"Give me credit, Princess. If I was to lie, I would've come up with something more believable than this. But it's true: your beloved Chosen One saw what would happen and deemed it necessary. He saw your defeat and suffering. He saw the deaths of your friends and allies.
"… and he let it happen."
She told herself it was a lie. A cruel mockery meant to turn her against Liu. But dread slowly crept into her gut. Earlier, he admitted to Liu defeating him without cause—he couldn't have known he would tell this story later.
More than that, Jade's words echoed in her mind: We won that battle, and someone or something took it from us!
"No," she said. "He … he wouldn't do that …"
"He did," he said. "His rationalization for it was he would simply rewrite history and you wouldn't remember any of it. I guess that was supposed to make it okay. Pity Onaga interfered with that plan."
"You're lying!"
"It must hurt, Princess. That despite all his sweet words and noble platitudes, your wellbeing is a distant second to his victory. I have to say, he certainly took to god-hood quickly—using mortals and those who trust him as pawns. Such how it is with gods and Earthrealmers. Your pain and trauma, though tragic, is abstract. Something to mourn, but not worth losing sleep over."
Kitana said nothing, shaking with anger and teeth clenched.
"In the end, your beloved hero condemned you, Raiden, Fujin, the Cages, Jade, Kotal, Kung Lao … and his past self no less. Even I thought that was rather cold."
"That's enough," Ermac said. "You made your point."
It took everything in her not to scream and lash out. Her heart pounding and breathing heavy, she turned and started to walk away before she did something rash. She then heard a strange noise with a brief flicker of light. When she looked back, her eyes widened upon seeing Liu Kang's face staring back at her.
"Trust me, Kitana," the sorcerer said with Liu's face and voice. "You can trust me. I would never let anything happen to you." He grinned. "And I would never, ever hurt you."
She snarled and lunged at him. Scorpion and Sareena held her back, and even Ermac stepped in between them. She pushed and thrashed, wanting nothing more than to destroy that evil, laughing face.
"Let me kill him," she insisted. "Just let me kill him …"
Tsung returned to his regular form, still laughing. He then offered a mocking bow and walked away.
Kitana at last gave up and stormed outside, holding back tears and struggling not to throw up.
End of Chapter XII
