Chapter 2: Warrior's Despair
The realm of Hinpar, world of endless night. The creatures of this realm lived in an everlasting darkness and liked it that way. So when Onaga's armies came to try and conquer them they quickly rose up to defend their homeland. It was a just cause but ultimately futile.
In a short lived battle Onaga's armies swarmed all over the landing forcing the native inhabitants to flee in fear. They fled because they were afraid, afraid of dying, afraid of Onaga's army, afraid of it's General.
A warrior clad in heavy spiked armor atop a great black horse rode onto the bloody battlefield. Looking through the Narrow eyes slits he served the scene. Looking around the people of Hinpar were retreating or had already fallen in battle. The warrior moved his horse over to a nearby flag, the flag of the people of Hinpar. He plucked it from the ground then turned his massive steed and ran off while his army surrounded the entire land.
Meanwhile back in the palace of Outworld. The Dragon King stood atop his throne, his bodyguard Reiko nearby as well as any other warriors. Servants went to and fro holding big golden trays with wine and fruit. In the corner a minstrel strung a harp. It was soothing music which Onaga enjoyed. He took a sip of his wine and waved his hand with the music. But his peace was about to be interrupted.
Suddenly the door burst open and the armor clad warrior ran into the room atop his horse. The servants jumped out of the way as he rode into the throne room and stopped before the feet of the Dragon King. Onaga took his glass away from his lips and observed the newcomer.
"Hail Onaga." Said the warrior from his horse." Emperor of Outworld, King of the whole Universe." Onaga shifted forward in his chair. The warrior stabbed the flag of Hinpar into the ground." Another realm has fallen to your glory, Hinpar is yours." He jumped off his horse, and holding the reins in his hands dropped to one knee.
"General." Addressed Reiko stepping up." You cannot just parade in here on your horse and-"
"Quiet Reiko." Commanded Onaga in a powerful voice. He rose up and stomped down towards the armored warriors." Rise my General, remove your helmet and be recognized for your glory." The warrior did as he was told and rose to his feet. Then he put both hands on the end of his helmet and lifted it off. Low and Behold there was Ermac, no longer the Enforcer of Shao Khan but now General of Onaga.
Ermac put the helmet under his arm and rested it at his side.
"You have succeeded once again General." Said Onaga as he stood before Ermac and put his hands on his shoulders." You have done well."
"You honor us with your praise Emperor." Said Ermac bowing his head slightly.
"As a reward." Said Onaga as he snapped his fingers." I reward you." He turned and appointed out to Ermac several dozen of his concubines." My best girls, pick whichever you'd like." Ermac's eyes scanned the women while others like Reiko stood back annoyed. After several seconds Ermac spoke.
"With all due respect Emperor." Said Ermac." We think we shall retire for the night." Onaga turned and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Of course." He said." You have had a long day, you've earned the rest." Ermac have another bow and taking the reins of his horse, and the animal turned and left.
Onaga turned and returned to his throne. He let out a sigh of relief knowing that yet another realm has fallen to his rule. Yes with Ermac as his General everything was going his way. Onaga took another refreshing sip of wine and then called out to his servants for more.
Ermac meanwhile returned his horse to the stables. Being that it was his horse it was given the finest stall and the most space to move around in. Ermac opened the gate and walked his horse in. He checked to make sure everything was suitable for his animal for it was his most prized possessions and the only thing he could consider a friend. He checked to make sure it had water and fresh hay was laid out and cold water was there for it to drink. One he concluded that he gave his horse and pat on the neck and headed off. The horse watched his master leave before settling himself down.
Ermac then afterwards returned to his room. On his way he passed several servants who cleared out of his way, which was a natural occurrence. He could hear down in the dining hall cheering and rejoicing. Most likely a celebration due to his conquest and most likely everyone was there.
But Ermac would not be. In truth he didn't like going to such festive events, deep down it just made his stomach churn and he couldn't understand why. All he knew was war and battle, he was savage and fought without mercy. But outside of that he just liked being by himself. There was no one he understood or liked to talk to, other than the Emperor Onaga himself. So he returned to his room and discarded his armor and prepared to nestle into his bed.
Ermac's room was very large, being that he was the top General he was given everything he asked for. He hadn't asked for a large room but it wasn't given to him. All Ermac required was a nice quiet place where he wouldn't be disturbed.
So he sat himself down in his chair by the fireplace and sat there solid as stone, starring into the fire. He did so uninterrupted for some time but then there came a knock at his door.
"Come in." he beckoned. Then the door came swinging open and there came Tanya and Lei Mei rushing into the room.
"Ermac!" they called as they rushed in and quickly to his side, surrounding him as he sat in his chair. Li Mei sat on one armrest, Tanya on the other and the two grabbed at Ermac trying to force him from his spot. Reiko followed in after them silently.
"There's a party down in the hall." Told Li Mei." In honor of your victory." Just as Ermac had guessed.
"But we must have the man of honor." Said Tanya tugging at him." Come, you can take me as your date."
"I'm going to be his date." Said Li Mei tugging at him.
"We beg your pardon and forgiveness ladies." Spoke up Ermac forcing the two to stop pulling at him." But we won't be attending tonight." They pouted.
"Why not?" asked Li Mei.
"Our weary bones tire from battle." Told Ermac." We shall retire for the night soon." The ladies continued to pout and try and persuade him but he would not budge. Eventually Reiko stepped in.
"Ladies." He said with a clap of his hands." The General has told you what he wishes, do as he says." The two ladies slowly got up, disappointed that Ermac would not join them that night. They left the room as Reiko commanded but he stayed behind and watched Ermac.
Ermac and Reiko had an unspoken rivalry. The two were Onaga's best warriors so they each competed for the Emperor's favor. Needless to say with Ermac as the General and his prestigious career Onaga favored him more. Reiko grimaced as he looked at Ermac knowing that if he hadn't come along that he would have become General. But there was nothing he could do about it now.
"Well done today Ermac." Said Reiko. Ermac picked up his head and saw him in the doorway." A pleasure to see you back unharmed." His voice having some malice in it.
"And it's good to be back." Said Ermac just replying but knowing that it angered Reiko to some sense. He had brought Tanya and Li Mei to annoy him but it appeared Ermac was wasn't as angry as Reiko thought.
"Good evening." Reiko said before leaving, closing the door behind him. Ermac sat in the darkness for a little while longer, the fireplace the only source of light. But eventually that fire burned out and Ermac crawled into his bed and fell into a deep sleep.
He slept calmly and soundly for most of the night. But as the night dragged on and the moonlight rose high in the sky something happened. Ermac had slipped off into the land of dreams. He hardly had dreams but the one he had tonight frightened him.
He tossed and turned as the visions took him, moaning as he tossed in turned. In his dream he was nothing but darkness but then that darkness opened up onto a battlefield. Ermac had been in many battle in his life but he couldn't recognize this one, it was unfamiliar to him.
There were multiple battles going on all around between ninjas and robots and all different kinds of warriors. He didn't understand why but the visions focused specifically on four ninja in particular. One was tall and green looking like a reptile of some kind, another was clad in blue and controlled ice but then changed into colors of black and purple, a similar one controlled fire. Ermac tossed in his dream as these four ninja found an individual battle but each lost, ending in a bloody demise. And the dream made Ermac feel it was his fault. The dream continued with the battle continuing and he suddenly found himself atop a mountains, watching these battles take place. Lastly he looked up at that sky and saw a man with a skulled helmet on his face. He opened his mouth and a blinding flash of wind and fire overtook Ermac. And he felt deep down in his hear that he was at fault for their deaths.
Ermac's eyes suddenly opened as he awoke from his dream. He jolted up and sat upright. He panted heavily as he looked around the room to get his bearings. He was in his room concluding that he was just in a dream.
"A dream." He panted to himself after several seconds to catch his breath. He sat back down and rested his head against his pillow."No a nightmare." Ermac got no more sleep that night for the dream he had haunted him. He was haunted by the visions of death he saw and he thought it was no ordinary dream. It was too specific a dream for it to be dismissed, it meant something and he had to find out what. So when the sun rose the next morning Ermac went to see his Master Onaga, who was the wisest man in all the lands. Surely if anyone had a solution to his dreams it was him.
Ermac walked into the throne room to find his master dining at a golden table with a platter of appetizing looking food before him. He walked in his boots stomping against the ground while his master ate unaware of him at first. But the sound of boot stomping caught his attention and Onaga turned to see Ermac standing a few feet away.
Ermac dropped to a knee and placed his hand on his breast." Hail Onaga King of Outworld."
"Rise General." Said Onaga looking at his food. Ermac did as commanded." What do you require this morning? Are you ready to set out for another battle?" he chuckled at his own joke.
"No Master." Said Ermac." As a matter of fact we come here seeking your wisdom."
"My wisdom?" repeated Onaga smiling at his glory." Ask dear boy and I shall answer."
"We had a dream last night, a terrible dream of a battle long passed." Onaga looked as if he was paying attention but was only half-listening as he reached for his wine and began drinking." There were four ninja there ourself included and we all died there." Onaga continued to drink." Then last a man with a shulled helmet appeared in the sky." Onaga heard his part and held back his drink. He put his grog down and began coughing, the wine having gone down the wrong pipe.
Ermac stepped forward." Are you alright Master?" Onaga held him at bay by holding out one hand while the other slammed on his chest. After a few seconds the coughing subsided and Onaga turned to Ermac.
" What did you say?" he asked.
"We had a dream." Continued Ermac." Where four ninja, including myself die."
"Four you said." Said Onaga standing up and walking over to Ermac.
"Yes sir. One controlled fire, one was scaled like a dragon and another wore dark cloths." Onaga hid a grumble." And lastly there was man who appeared in the sky and he-"
"Enough!" yelled Onaga silencing him. He took several panted breaths before Ermac could truly notice his distress he spoke again." I know what this dream means." Ermac stood silent and waited to hear it." You are a warrior Ermac, destined for greatness on the battlefield." Onaga rested one arm around Ermac and began walking with him." Your dream is nothing but that of a warrior's mind. You long for battle and crave it."
"But what of the people in our dream?" asked Ermac. Onaga shuddered a moment but then continued.
"Faces of those you'd destroyed in battle." He quickly said." And since there are so many, you couldn't possibly remember them all." It seemed logical to Ermac.
"Yes we understand." Said Ermac.
"Excellent, Excellent." Said Onaga." But this dream does trouble me."
"How master?" Onaga turned and faced Ermac.
"It shows me that you are weary of battle. Before I send you on another mission I require you to stay behind and rest." When he spoke he spoke very kindly to Ermac, much like a father to his son." I wouldn't want you to get over overanxious."
"No sir." Said Ermac. "That wouldn't be good at all."
"Very well." Said Onaga." Take a few days off, get some rest."
"Thank you sir." Said Ermac with a bow." Your wisdom knows no bounds."
"My dear boy I am glad to have helped you." Said Onaga. With that Ermac turned and left the room feeling satisfied with this meeting. However Onaga was not and after Ermac left he formed a grimace on his face. He knew those in the dream and that made his eyes burn with anger.
He hadn't occurred to him until now but it had been a whole year since he had Quan Chi revive Ermac, most likely as predicted the spell was wearing off. But there was so much to do there were still many other realms Onaga had to conquer. He had conquered dozens of realhms but now he wanted it all, the entire universe at his command.
The Dragon King turned to the nearest servant." You." He ordered." Bring Reiko here to me at once."
In no time at all Reiko appeared before his master." What is thy bidding my master?" he asked on one knee.
"A problem has just shown itself." Told Onaga.
"Problem, what problem?"
"Ermac's memory is starting to return."
"Ah. So does that mean we have to-" Reiko ran his hand across his throat.
"No!" ordered Onaga." I still have use for Ermac's skills, find me the sorcerer Quan Chi and see if he cannot make his incantation last longer."
"Quan Chi?" asked Reiko." In the Netherrealm?"
"The same." Said Onaga." You have your orders, go." And with the word from his Emperor Reiko left to go about his task leaving Onaga to contemplate in the darkness. If Ermac truly could regain his memory it would be the end of them all.
So Reiko set out with Tanya and Li Mei and went into the Netherrealm. They searched three whole Outworld days but could find no trace of the sorcerer. Ermac all the while was enjoying his time off riding his horse , unaware of what was going on behind his back.
At the end of three days Reiko returned to Onaga with his team.
"Well?" asked the Dragon King as they kneeled before him on his throne." Did you bring him?"
"We-" began Reiko." We couldn't find him, sir." Onaga's eyes bugged open in surprise but then he suppressed it into a growl.
"Then it seems we have only one choice." He said next. Reiko, Tanya and Li Mei picked up their heads and looked at the Emperor.