I see fighters training together in the arenas as I wander the training grounds. Training with someone else is not of my intentions, they will only serve to stand in my way. I head to the training dummies and I come to a stop where a man of dark complexion and built muscles concentrates on his attacks, striking it with mostly his fists. His arms are no doubt his main point of strength; it shows in his stance as well.
I station at the post to his right, starting with first my kicks and swift movements. My eyes lock to my wooden target as I lift my left foot, striking it where the ribs would be. I repeat the same motion with my right leg twice, doing so with speed. I follow it with a series of fists, landing in the "chest" area. I continue to strike it, using only a fraction of my skill to keep me content for the time being. I doubt I will be one of the kombatans tomorrow, for they are conserving my skill for when the amateurs are out of the running and the real fighting begins.
I have been striking the damned thing for about thirty minutes when the man next to me stops and sits on a bench that lies beyond the training dummies. I spot him wiping sweat off the top of his forehead in my peripheral vision as I continue to thrash at my non-existent target as if I am facing off with Kitana.
"You know keeping at it like that will only drain you energy for later," I hear a strong voice caution me.
Seeing it is the man on the bench with a glimpse from the corner of my eye, I stop. I can feel his eyes lock onto me.
I breathe in and out, taking in the scent of Outworld before saying, "My limits far exceed yours. Besides, is that not your purpose for being here? You would leap at the chance to finish me in order to save your precious 'Earthrealm'," I mock.
"If it meant saving the realm maybe. But, you aren't the ruler of Outworld, so that'll get me nowhere," he tries to reassure with a slight puzzled expression.
Why are Earth Realmers so fond of innocence and ignorance? All they seem to be useful for is bragging about what is right or what is wrong. There is no right or wrong in this world, there are sides and there are certain point of views to each side, nothing more. Whichever you choose decides whether you do right or wrong to the other person or side. In reality, both sides are the same. I know this clearly, but I am here for me, not Outworld or Earthrealm regardless of what side I am fighting for.
"Really now? Even if you do manage to overthrow 'the ruler'," I imitate his voice, "what makes you think we won't just say 'ignore the tournament and its rules', and simply invade your benighted realm?" I question, placing my hands on my hips, now staring dead bolt into his strong dark brown eyes.
He opens his mouth to reply before getting interrupted.
"Feisty one isn't she? You would think she is Shao Kahn if we did not know how he looks already," a familiar voice grows closer.
We both turn to the gray ninja I had an encounter with last night.
"You again Earth Realmer?" I announce with a harsh tone.
"Wait, Smoke, you know this girl?" the man still mounted on the bench asks.
He stops in front of us both. He turns to his comrade.
"Well...More or less Jax," he then turns to me. "Looks like it's a small 'palace' after all Miss Outworld," the gray ninja taunts.
I have had enough of him, and this is the beginning of the tournament and our third conversation.
"Smoke?" I let out a smug giggle. "That is your poorly placed title?"
"Smoke is a name I have earned due to skill, something you apparently lack," he has a competitive tone in his voice that makes me want to pull his heart out through his back and force him to eat it with me.
"Oh, you have no idea," I grin at his stupidity. "I am Mileena, daughter of Shao Kahn, and my abilities far surpass yours!" I step closer to him in a serious stance, fists clenched.
He glances down at me and says, "Then why don't you prove it, 'Princess," in a mocking, yet still competitive tone. I grin at this.
"I cannot wait to slaughter you in the tournament," I mutter coldly.
"Who says you have to wait until then, you can try your luck in the ring now," he points to the training arenas.
He acts as if he is some sort of Elder God, which irks me. I can just imagine ripping into his soft skin now. I turn around facing the ring, and glance back at him.
"You mean try yours," I say deviously and head for an unoccupied ring.
Smoke lets out a small laugh.
"Damn here we go," Jax instigates as he follows, Smoke in front of him.
I step onto the hardened sand arena. Jax spectates along the side. As I get into ready position Smoke steps onto the arena, his silver-like hair blowing through the wind just like my black hair. Instead of getting into a stance, he kneels.
"Your move Princess," he is amusing himself with this. I am officially fed up with his confident, Earthrealm mockery.
"Oh shit!" I hear Jax exclaim as I leap into mid-air pointing my right foot outward aiming at Smoke's head.
He dodges it just by an inch and backs away swiftly, kneeling again. I look downward at him. I know he is smiling under that mask of his by how his eyes are curved. This angers me. I advance closer to him, and he slowly stands. We start circling the ring. He holds his hand out and starts beckoning, signaling for me to strike first. Who the Nether Realm does he think he is? I step, swinging forward. He just tilts his head to the right, evading my attack. I then use my right hand to swing fully, and he swiftly ducks, then stands again and gives me a kick to the stomach. I retreat a few steps with my head down at the area he impacted and then recover quickly.
"I'll massacre you," I mutter furiously, attempting to return the kick he delivered with a swift swipe of my right leg.
He catches it, and tosses me across the arena. I land on my stomach, looking up as an angry groan escapes me.
"Done already Princess?" he teases.
I stand again in my stance and face my competitor. I know he knows I am enraged by the look in my glowing eyes. Though, I know his trickery in fighting. It is similar to mine; use your opponent's strength against them, the best offense is your foe's offense. It leaves them vulnerable. I step again, faking a punch he goes to dodge, and then surprise him with a double right kick to his cranium. He falls back a few movements and I deliver another swift kick that follows the second to his ribcage.
I hear him grunt in pain. He kneels again, but this time he has no choice. He faces the sandy ground. I speedily grab his head with both hands and knee him in the jaw, causing him to look up a moment and fall backwards with a painful groan. I then pounce onto him and punch him once right, then another left, until he catches my third fist.
"Submit to me!" I demand.
I hold his other hand against the ground as he clenches my fist in his other. My fist struggles to break free of his grasp, urging to make contact.
"You think you can beat me this easily?" he says moments before kicking me off of him and taking to his feet, going into his fighting stance for the first time. "You are mistaken," he adds.
"I was hoping I wouldn't," I mock sarcastically. "Earthrealm prey is always more fun when you torture them first."
He comes at me, his foot aiming for my chest. I block it, and begin delivering a series of punches that he rapidly avoids with smooth movements. Shortly after he responds with an attempt to sweep of my feet. I jump avoiding it and then land, aiming to trip him as well. He also jumps then lands back on his feet, dodging my attack and swiftly sending a foot to my face that I duck.
I then swing with all my might, venturing to hit him. However, he sends a straight jab of his own. His fist makes contact with my jaw, causing me to stumble a bit. He then places his fingers in front of his face, and disappears into a cloud of smoke, instantaneously spawning at my side and kicking me down speedily. I lie here grunting in pain momentarily, and then get back up slowly.
"You are pretty good Princess, a bit more than I was expecting honestly," he tries to compliment.
"Oh really, good enough to murder you?" I inquire enraged.
He wants to use tricks? Well no one has as many as me. I do not even bother getting into a good fighting position, I just plunge myself into the ground as shades of pink and violet luster engulf my body, which teleport me into thin air with a fierce speed, allowing me to deliver a mighty kick to his head as a groan escapes him. He falls to the ground from the impact. I land back on the hard sand-like arena and glance down at him.
"On your feet," I demand harshly.
I am not done with him just yet. He stands seconds later.
"As you wish your highness," he slowly takes to his feet, the last hit must have dealt damage.
He falls into his stance yet again.
"Enough!" a voice shouts loud enough for us both to hear.
We both turn to see the Thunder God standing near Jax. He enters the ring and places a hand on Smoke's shoulder.
"You mustn't get disqualified Smoke, you are one of our key warriors," he speaks calmly.
Smoke gives a nod then looks at me, as does the Thunder God.
"Mileena," the Thunder God somewhat greets.
I just gaze at him in annoyance.
"Your skills go beyond that of most of your forces. A shame you fight for our enemy," he momentarily continues.
"I fight for myself," I correct bitterly.
I notice Smoke peer at me with confused eyes.
"All the more reason to choose your own fate," the Thunder God replies, and with that he begins to walk away with both Smoke and Jax.
They exit the ring. As they approach the sliding door which leads inside, Smoke looks back at me once more, and they head inside. I look down at the ground. I am choosing my own fate, murdering my sister and becoming someone important in the ranks of Outworld. But afterwards, I am not certain what I will do. I walk back over to the training dummy I had been striking earlier.
I strike it until the night comes without taking any breaks, and all other warriors eventually travel back inside one by one. I know I am not sleeping tonight, there is too much on my mind. The damned Thunder God causes me to think the hardest I have ever thought in millennia.
"...Choose your own fate," it replays in my mind.
I stop striking the dummy and peer upward at the sky. The orange crescent moon lights the training grounds and reflects in my eyes. I then walk to the sliding door and open it slowly. I slide the door shut once inside and begin to travel through the hall until I reach a staircase. The entire place is illuminated with blue flame like every night. I reach my floor and turn right like always. It is very quiet as if everyone is in a deep sleep. Though the blue flames burn, it is still slightly dark at the end of the hall where I reside. I come to the front of my door but hesitate to enter.
Why even bother waiting for the sun to come up again? I would rather keep busy tonight. I turn then walk back the way I came. I decide to travel up the stairs to the top floor, taking my time. Once at the top, I turn left. The hall up here was empty as well, and the moon illuminates this floor the most. I come to a stop as I spot probably the largest window in the entire building. It is circular and made of pure transparent silver with millions of sapphire jewels that all come together to portray a dragon. I notice it is ajar, so I push it slightly and it opens like a door, revealing the somewhat dim, crescent moon. I lean outward and gaze up. The multi-inclined roof shields the window from above.
I jump onto the window's vast sill and place my hands on the bottom portion of the roof, flipping myself upward, and landing on top of the building. I lean over the edge slightly to close the window. I wish to be untraceable this fine night. I walk upward carefully to the peak of the building. I gaze upon the darkness and corruption of Outworld. Flames are in the distance and the sounds of screams rummage through the air.
I then sit and watch the moon travel through the sky for what feels like six hours until the sun finally creeps from behind the clouds dimly. I put my hands on my knees then tilt my head down on them. Just another day of senseless fighting waiting to happen in order to capture another futile realm.