Johnny Cage lunges at Ermac, giving him a swift jumping uppercut with green energy engulfing his body. This sends Ermac crashing to the ground, but not for long. He stands and uses his telekinetic energy to fiercely shove Cage, making him stumble a bit. I turn to Rain momentarily when a slight giggle escaped his lips and a grin plasters onto his face. By the look in his eye one thing is for sure; he wants Ermac to crush Cage. I on the other hand could not care less. The tournament is merely my bridge to vengeance, and that is all it will ever be. More punches and kicks are thrown as they go deeper into the art of kombat. I turn to father who stands with pride written on his face. His fists are clenched and rested on both sides of his waist. I hear a loud thud and turn back to the fight at hand only to see Cage hit the arena floor, his lip gushing red and a bruise on his chest. Ermac lifts his hand, causing his telekinesis abilities to go to work. He lifts Cage as if there is nothing to it.
He then proceeds to bring Cage closer right before slamming him to the ground. Cage let out a scream of pain as he laid there, blood escaping his mouth. I get distracted a moment by seeing Smoke from the corner of my eye. Both he and Kung Lao have a rather tense expression on their face. However, Smoke seems to be even tenser than his comrade, I can see it not only on his face, not only in his eyes, but in his heart. If Cage is to fail, Smoke will certainly make up for the loss. I shift my attention back to the feud at hand just as Cage managed to get the upper hand. He sent a devastating kick to Ermac with a red aura following him as he sent Ermac crashing to the ground. Cage approaches him as Ermac attempts to stand, but Ermac is only awarded with an energy flip-kick to the forehead, making him collapse. Ermac's eyes began to close, and then open slowly; I know it's over now.
"Finish him," father said in displeasure.
I know him all too well to know he is ashamed of the "multi-being's" loss.
"I'd rather not. You see skull brain, I'm not like you," he points at father, "or any of your warriors," father has an irritated expression on his face at the comment as Cage begins to exit the arena.
"Oh, Mr. Cage, your fight is not yet done," Shang Tsung shouts, stopping him in his tracks.
He must have forgotten that you fight until you are eliminated, whether it be from the tournament or literally.
Cage turns, bringing his attention to the sorcerer and asking with too much confidence, "So, who's it gonna be?"
I notice the grin on the sorcerer's face appear, so I know Cage's odds in fight may be slim. The first fight, whether Ermac won or lost was just to see what Cage was capable of delivering. Now, Shang Tsung knows who can go against him and possibly win.
"Rain!" the sorcerer announces.
I turn to face Rain as he does the same to me. His eyes tell me he is smiling. He brings me closer by my waist then plants a peck on my cheek before pulling away and giving me a smile. He pulls his violet mask back up as he now faces the arena. Instead of walking to the ring like others would, he disappears into a floating atmosphere of water and reappears on the arena directly across from Cage.
"Ermac is not the one you should have been worried about facing. I am," Rain's voice is dark, somewhat how I sound before I start feasting on prey.
"Yeah, bring it chump!" Cage replies.
I honestly do not know who is more conceited when it comes to the art of kombat. This should prove to be intriguing.
"Sister!" I turn to see Li Mei walking towards me with Kung Lao at her side.
Smoke stands in place among the crowd across the kombat building, keeping eyes on the battle.
"Ah, sister! There you are!" I greet as she meets me with an embrace. "I have been searching for you since we have arrived in this realm!" I rejoice as Li Mei's eyes meet mine.
"My apologies, I had meetings with the Thunder God about my duties and purpose here along with the other servants," she replies.
I glance up at Kung Lao, who stands behind her, for a split second. I take her hand and bring her closer.
"Seems as if that is not the only person you've had meetings with," I whisper at a volume only she can hear.
This conjures a smile to come to her face.
"It is not what it seems," she whispers back.
A splash of water slightly hits us making us turn our attention back to the fight.
"No, Cage must prevail..." Kung Lao returns to being tense at the possible thought of his comrade's death.
"Do not worry, have faith in his abilities," I hear from behind me.
I turn around suddenly just to meet Smoke's vibrant light brown eyes. I cannot control myself from getting slightly nervous in his close presence, and I have no idea why. I cannot find any words, which embarrasses me, causing me to turn back around with crimson cheeks that I hope the veil conceals well enough. Why is it that every time he nears I receive such a nervous feeling? Damn him.
"Something wrong Mileena?" he whispers in my ear as I see Cage uppercut Rain fiercely.
"Is there something wrong with you, Earthrealmer?" I shoot back, keeping my eyes on the battle at hand.
"The only thing that bothers me is when you feel bothered."
Smoke walks to my right, still watching the battle. I turn and face him again with eyes that ask why he feels such a way until I hear water crash against the arena's terrain. I gaze back at the conflict at hand. Rain has water the size of a medium orb wrapped around Cage's head, drowning him. Sounds of Cage struggling for air almost echo in the wind as the purple aura illuminate the waters Rain manipulates.
"By the Gods," Li Mei states as she turns her head away from the battle.
Rain continues to manipulate the waters around his foe's form, until all of a sudden, Cage stops moving. Rain then releases his sorcery and turns to Shang Tsung as Cage falls backward with a hard thud. The waters vanish, all except the waters that have already filled his lungs. He lies on the arena floor, now motionless.
"Rain wins! Fatality!" father shouts with a random boost of ego.
Before I processed what has just occurred, Kung Lao stands up there at Cage's side, along with the man in red and black robes I had seen with Kitana earlier.
"No!" Kung Lao's voice is furious, along with his ally's expression.
"There may be something we could do, let's get him out of here as of now," his ally replies.
They lift him, taking him off the arena as Shang Tsung announces, "Rain, next you will go against Smoke!"
My heart suddenly thuds, threatening to stop beating. I turn my attention to Smoke swiftly who does not face me. He faces Rain with fierce, vengeful eyes, and clenched fists. It is as if when Shang Tsung mentions Smoke's name, he vanishes instantly, leaving a cloud of smoke behind and reappears in front of Rain before my eyes. Li Mei places a hand on my shoulder. I turn to her and she gives me a reassuring expression. The anger on Smoke's face is so evident Rain starts to circle the ring.
"Trying to avenge your precious friend? It will get you nowhere," Rain says spitefully.
"That," Smoke replies, "and trying to save a specific girl from this pathetic fools quest your emperor calls a tournament," he sends a glance as quick as lightning to me and wastes no time in speeding toward Rain with his right fist drawn.
Rain manages to block his attempted assault, but Smoke sends a kick to his leg, causing Rain to almost lose his balance. He attempts to go for another kick, but Rain counters and sends an elbow to Smoke's face. Smoke goes back a few steps in recovery, only to teleport and surprise Rain with a mighty kick to his side, causing Rain to stumble to the right. Smoke teleports again to bring a fist to the front of Rain's cranium, making Rain fall back and forcefully lie on his back with a groan. Before Smoke can stomp him on the ground, Rain gathers a thick string of glowing, energetic water, whipping Smoke with it.
Rain quickly stands, while still striking Smoke with the water. The sound of it whipping through the air causes some of the spectators to wince and flinch. I however an unable to part my eyes from either one of them. The look on Smoke's face...I have never seen him genuinely angry, not even when we first met. I find it somewhat...alluring, this newfound side of him. Rain then goes for another strike as Smoke ducks it, just before delivering an uppercut to Rain, causing him stumble backward. Rain places his hand to his mouth that begins to leak of blood as Smoke falls into his stance. Blood pours past Rain's chin, making him face Smoke in a more enraged fashion.
"You just marked your grave mortal," Rain threatens.
Almost as quick as he got the words out, Rain shoots a ball of water at Smoke, and it encases Smoke's entire body in a sphere of water. Rain raises the sphere of water in the air with Smoke trapped inside. Smoke struggles and tries to claw his way out while slightly drowning in the process. As strange as it may be...I wish for Smoke to be the victor. Should he die here, who would make my stay here in Earthrealm so...thrilling? Rain deserves to be taken down a peg as well. I cannot believe I have my hopes on an Earthrealmer. However, Rain seems to now have victory close at hand. I now examine the trapped Smoke as I notice his body beginning to vibrate. As if it were simple, he removes himself from the water trap and with vapor surrounding his body as he drops from the air. But, before Smoke manages to hit the arena floor, he teleports in mid-air toward Rain, delivering a powerful kick to his cranium. Rain is sent crashing to the ground, attempting to stand as Smoke lands on his feet. Smoke coughs up some water as he watches Rain groan and attempt to stand once more. However, the blood from his mouth continues to leak and he is undoubtedly unable to continue.
"Finish him," father speaks with plenty of disappointment in his voice.
Smoke looks down at Rain, who finally manages to get to his feet. Smoke moves so smoothly to him that it appears as if he is levitating. He picks him up swiftly and tosses him toward the Outworld servants that stand near father in the crowd. Neither of them catch Rain, they allow him fall, and then drag him out of the kombat building. Li Mei turns to me with a smile and I return one beneath my veil. Interesting how far Smoke's strength can go. He bested Rain, the self centered fighter I grew up with alongside Kitana. I peer at Smoke in shock, awe and excitement. I never would have thought he would win that battle. He looks back at me, and we lock eyes. He removes his gray mask, revealing a smile. A smile stays on my face behind my veil as well. That gentle look of his finally returns. Though I did enjoy witnessing his serious side while it lasted. I also enjoy how those bright, brown eyes light up when they aim my way. However, I refuse to let that be known, ever. Li Mei taps my arm, getting my attention, and then moves her eyes in a gesture that told me to look to my far right. I comply, only to witness Shang Tsung watching as Smoke makes eye contact with me. A devious grin then graces his lips.
"For our next match," Shang Tsung starts, catching everyone's attention and ending all the cheering, "Smoke versus Mileena!"
My eyes widen as I turn from the sorcerer and peer back in Smoke's direction in startled confusion. Smoke's smile disappears and is replaced with a look of worry.
"What?" Smoke questions the sorcerer.
"Is there a problem here mortal?" Shang Tsung replies in a dark, yet amused tone.
"Sister..." Li Mei mutters as I step onto the arena while facing Smoke as the crowd cheers.
"No, there is not," Smoke lies while facing me.
I was hoping I could avoid this, but I cannot disappoint father. I begin to circle the arena, and Smoke does as well, a look of guilt in his eyes. I wish not to attack first, though I typically do. One look at him tells me he wishes not to do so either. We continue circling the ring for a few moments.
"Mileena!" father yells, causing me to peer at him over Smoke's shoulder.
The look on his face tells me I better not fail him like the others, that much is clear. I advance to Smoke, swinging as he dodges each palm I throw at him. I throw another and he catches my arm, and then brings me closer to him. I attempt to resist, but he holds me steady.
"I cannot fight you," he whispers to me quickly before tripping me.
I vanish with magenta surrounding my body and reappear on his shoulders. I use my momentum to flip him to the ground and then whisper to him,"You must," as I draw my sai.
I enter my kombat stance as he stands, warps behind me leaving behind a trial of vapor and grabs me.
"I refuse to," he quickly counters just before throwing me to the ground.
Instead of standing, I curl into a ball and rapidly approach Smoke with various pink trails behind me, knocking him off his feet and into the air. I then teleport upward meeting him in the air with my sai drawn, pointed at him. I decide against impaling Smoke and attempt to sheath my sai when he grabs my hand, lowering it to his torso. I attempt to pull away, however we land on the arena floor, and the sai impales his chest. The most unforgivable of it all is, he let it.
I gasp as I witness the damage he made me bestow upon him. The blood begins inching from his chest. I look into his eyes as he lies there gazing back into mine. Smoke still holds onto my hand and the sai as he gives me a faint, painful, smile. It is not my intention for the battle to end this way. I stand quickly, and back away, drawing my sai from his chest as he grunts slightly from the withdraw. Smoke stumbles to his feet, holding his chest that I impacted and gazes at me before dropping to his knees. His eyes lock onto mine as he submits to me with blood flowing from his chest and onto the arena. The crimson substance from his body joins the rest of the blood from the previous battles, seeping deeply into the terrain.
"Finish him!" father shouts slightly louder than usual.
I slowly advance to Smoke with my sai aimed at his head, ready to strike. However, I cannot help it, I pause. I-I cannot murder him. He looks me in the eyes then gets closer, placing his head at the tip of my blade and resting his hands behind his back.
"It is okay, Mileena, do it for your realm," he says as he closes his eyes.
I hesitate, I cannot control it.
"Mileena! I said finish him!" father repeats himself in the loudest tone I have ever heard him take with me, and I feel his eyes watching me angrily.
I turn to the Thunder God, who gives me eyes that most likely almost see through me.
"All the more reason to choose your own fate," his voice replays in my head, reminding me of why I am really here.
I am here to murder Kitana; I am here to one day claim Outworld for myself, not to please this pathetic tournament. I sheath my sai and turn to father.
"I shall not."
The entire kombat room grows quiet. It is not such a thing to spare the lives of foes who surrender to Outworld this late in the tournament, which means I just altered history; Outworld's history. Father wishes for their most skilled warriors to all be vanquished, however, I cannot live up to his expectation when it comes to this. I glance at Smoke who faces me with a somewhat speechless expression, and then back to father who obviously could not be more furious. It is so quiet that you can hear the distant crickets in the near forest behind us. Father steps onto the arena, making his way to me and never breaking eye contact. I stand tall, I do not whimper under his confrontation.
"You disappoint me, Mileena. Consider yourself fortunate you were the victor in this battle, for the consequences would have been...dire otherwise," he says.
I put my head down as the Thunder God pronounces, "Enough! The tournament shall continue on the morrow."
Father passes me and exits the arena, leaving the kombat building along with Shang Tsung who smirks and chuckles deviously as he passes by. Li Mei runs to my side as the Thunder God, Kung Lao and Sub-Zero go to Smoke.
"Sister, are you alright?" she asks.
"Indeed, nothing of it," I reply as more fighters exit the building.
"Mileena..." Smoke says as the blood from his chest still spills.
I glance at him momentarily and then glance at the Thunder God. I quickly take Li Mei's hand and begin to run out of the kombat building until we reach the far end of the beach. I could not bare to stay there any longer. So many conflicts wrapped into one room is not my idea of a tournament.
"I should have just murdered the damned Earthrealmer. Why do I insist on taking the rebellious road so much? Why must I be such a complicated being?" I shake the thoughts from my head as I continue to lead Li Mei across the vast beach.
It is sunset and the sand almost looks orange in the dim-like sunlight. The waters splash onto the surface gently, creating a peaceful type of setting. I come to a stop once I feel we have ventured far enough. This area is much more secluded and even on the way to my cottage. I would go there, but then it would mean possibly running into...Smoke, whom I for now, wish to avoid. I believe my expression says it all, for Li Mei does not say a word. We both inch closer to the waters as it mostly remains silent. We listen to the waves crash onto the shore as well as birds chirping as they fly near the waters.
"Sister, why did you not take action and finish him?" Li Mei questions in a light tone, breaking the silence.
The sound of waves being created and delivered to shore continues to ring in my ears.
"Murdering those who surrender is pointless, pathetic and undeserving of my time."
She gives me a look that makes me feel as if she can read my mind.
"Are you sure that is why? Or is it you feel greatly about the mortal and you refuse to see it?" I turn away and peer at the sun setting horizon.
"Preposterous," is all I manage to reply.
A moment of silence passes, so I am positive she took the hint.
"I shall leave you to give thought to my question alone; I shall speak with you tomorrow."
She wastes no time in taking off, for I hear her getting further and further away. I soon feel that she is no longer in my presence. I remain in the same spot for a moment and then venture closer to the waters. I sit and place my feet into the waves, watching the water hit my toes ever so gently.
"Why did he force me to impale him? Why was he willing to let me murder him with my own hands? Damn him," my mind goes back to war.
"I told you I'll never leave you alone in this world."
I turn my head to see none other than Smoke sitting next to me. His mask and his shirt are absent, allowing me to view not only most of his creamy skin, but the scar I left on his torso with my sai. Instinctively, I grow angry.
"Why did you do that?" I almost shout.
"Depends on what you refer to as 'that'," his voice is steady and calm like the ocean before us.
"To start, you forced my blade into your chest. Not to mention you were willing to allow me to finish you!" I reply, keeping my eyes glued to him as he turns to me.
"I did that because...Shang Tsung and your father were watching you, and I figured your reputation was more important...and well as for the finishing..." he trails off.
I move closer to him, giving him fierce eyes that say to continue.
"...Look, I could not bring myself to hurt you, and well...I'd rather you kill me instead of me having to fight you."
I ease closer and place a hand on his chest, rubbing the area I impacted. He watches me calmly as I do so. The blood is no longer present, so I assume the Thunder God must have used his healing abilities to assist Smoke. His skin feels so soft, so prey worthy. Perhaps I should have quelled him and kept his corpse to put at ease my appetite. Should I have done so, father would not be so furious with me now.
"You foolishly trust me with your life."
I stand and begin to walk towards the forest. He appears in front of me in a cloud of vapor quickly, blocking my way.
"If it was such a foolish thing to do, why did you disobey the emperor himself and spare me?"
I draw my sai out of instinct that still has his blood stained on it and aim it his way.
"If you dare to keep that train of thought, I shall finish what I should have!" I threaten.
He inches closer.
"Then do it."
I swiftly lift my sai and attempt to strike him, but he dodges it quickly. I go for another stab and he backs away swiftly avoiding it. I close the distance between us and dash to him, raising my sai in the air and go for the attack. However, he catches my arm then we warp to a nearby tree. He pins my arm to the tree bark, then gets closer.
"Tell me, what gives you the motivation this time?" he asks.
"Knowing that you will fight back!" I forcefully bring a knee to his stomach, and then kick him to the ground.
I make my way over to him but he vanishes and reappears behind me, grabbing my arm and trying to disarm me. He nearly does, but I rotate and give him a kick that brings him crashing to the ground again. Before he manages to stand, I pounce onto him and point my sai toward his cranium. We remain here in this position for a moment in silence as I keep my blade linear, aimed directly at him. He does not fight back anymore, he merely watches me with a softened facial expression.
"Go ahead. My views have not altered," he speaks gently.
Damn me and my hesitation. I stare at him as he stares directly back at me.
"Do it Mileena. Or is it that you can't?" Smoke adds.
"Are you sure that is why? Or is it you feel greatly about the mortal and you refuse to see it?" my sister's words come back to me.
Maybe...maybe Li Mei was correct. Maybe Smoke is also. I toss my sai aside and then get to my feet, offering Smoke my hand.
"I can't."
He takes it and returns to his feet as I get something of a flashback.
"Look out!" is all I hear before Smoke wraps his arms around me, tackling me to the ground, saving me from a blade that was now pinned into the wood of a tree where my head had originally been.
He saved my life...and is willing to die for me. I am now coming to realization of how deep Smoke's loyalty truly lies.
"I..." I start but the look in his eyes tells me he is well aware of the words I am going to speak.
Instead of going along with just mere words, I wrap my arms around him tightly.
"I apologize..." my voice is somewhat muffled in our embrace.
"There is no need for apology. I understand," his arms hold me closer, making me feel secure.
I pull away slightly and face him.
"But, now you're out of the tournament," I remind him.
He smiles at me.
"Forget about that, no need to worry. Let's get to our cottages, it's getting late." Smoke places an arm around my shoulder and we proceed walking into the forest.
Sounds of crickets and grass being crushed under our feet fill the air as we arrive in front of our cottages, and the moon is now beginning to rise.
"Another thing, the way you bested Rain was quite unexpected," I add to our current conversation.
"Eh, it was nothing," he smiles and as do I beneath my veil.
We get to my door and then come to a stop.
"Get your rest for tomorrow, you will need it for the other fights you could be drafted into," Smoke suggests.
"I am a creature of the night Smoke, beings such as me choose to rest, not rely on it," I say cleverly.
"Well, take it easy 'creature'," he jokes.
I chuckle, and then open my door, heading inside. Before going all the way in, I turn and peer at Smoke who watches me go inside with a nice smile. A grin creeps its way onto my face and I shut the door. I walk over to my bed and lie there, staring at my ceiling, waiting for the sun to come again as I recap the night as well as my time in Earthrealm. Father is anything but pleased with me, Kitana gets more untrustworthy to Outworld every day, and Smoke is willing to go the extra mile just to see me live. However, it matters little. The time to dig deeper into my dear "sister's" whereabouts has come.