Love & War 4
Chapter 9: Betrayal In Outworld Pt. 1
"Prince Goro has has disappeared while pursuing Mileena in the Golden Desert. My father, Kotal K'etz, shall personally oversee a search for Goro, and continue the hunt for Mileena. For this mission, I grant him the Wrath Hammer of Shao Kahn."
Kotal Kahn and his comrades, along with his father walk into a hallway lit with torches.
"You always knew how to win a crowd," said K'etz.
"Speeches are not enough. Reiko has destroyed our Northern trade route, days before harvest. When people starve, I will lose the crowd."
"Your family is with you on this, Kotal. When I return with Mileena in chains, you can eat her heart before your adoring public."
"Mileena is not the threat..."
If not Mileena, then who?
"Reiko and I served Shao Kahn for decades. He's a genius without scruples. My spies report he seduced Mileena, to become her closest advisor. They've also discovered his location. Bring no one back in chains. Kill Reiko. Kill Mileena. History is written in blood, not speeches."
In the Golden Desert, Mileena was speaking with Tanya's evil twin. Whatever plans she had will be revealed later. For now, Reiko recalls his affiliation with Kotal Kahn.
"Kotal is formidable, proud and hopelessly devoted to his family. A good Osh-Tekk boy. Years ago, he revealed a peculiar quality of Osh-Tekk warriors to me.
"Up the stair path...TO THE FIRE'S EDGE!"
"They wield incredible power in sunlight. But the converse is also true: The Osh-Tekk are substantially weaker in darkness."
"You know, Reiko," said Goro. "I've killed an Osh-Tekk before."
"That was when Shao Kahn and his imperial army were at your side, Prince Goro," Reiko replied. "Now we rely on patience and strategy. First, our enemies must believe they can win... I leaked our location to Kotal. He will send his most trusted warriors. When they arrive, Mileena's most faithful servant, Rain, will remove their solar advantage. For a moment, they will fell doubt. But pride will drive them onward, in your arms."
They following day, k"etz and his warriors have reached the Golden Desert palace. Goro was waiting for them.
"You were a fool to come here, Kotal K'etz."
"Goro, I did not take you for a traitor to the Kahnum, an oversight I shall correct in his name."
K'etz swung Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammer at Goro's head, causing him to lose some teeth.
"Is that your best?"
Goro blasts K'etz with a Shokan Bolt. Then knocks him down. Reiko continued his reply throughout.
"The Red Dragon recently acquired cloaking technology used by the Cyber Lin Kuei. Mavado and his mercenaries are professionals. They'll leave you free to deal to deal with Kotal K'etz."
"Your son sent the Prince of Shokan in the desert to hunt rats."
Goro smashed K'etz's head on a small stalagmite. "I am no one's rat catcher!"
Goro takes the Wrath Hammer...
"This does not belong to you..."
...and decapitates K'etz using Shao Kahn's Golf Swing fatality.
"...and neither does Outworld!"
"My father... it cannot be..."
"Kotal's blood runs hot. This will boil him. He will make mistakes. He will destroy himself.
"It is true," said Reptile, bowing before Kotal. "Goro is a traitor. Reiko has enlisted the Red Dragon."
Kotal pulls out his blade and says, "I am sorry, but I have no choice..."
Kotal cuts himself horizontally on his chest, a blood offering if you will.
"BY MY FATHER'S SOUL, I, KOTAL KAHN, INVOKE THE GODS BEFORE GODS...BIND MY SOUL BY THE BLOOD CODE, MAKE OF ME A BLOOD GOD, GRANT ME THE POWER TO DISARM GORO PERMANENTLY!