Chapter 20: Inner Demons
The Special Forces have destroyed the Black Dragon. It has ended with Kano's death. Not only that, they have succeeded in stealing the Edenian Steel from them. Kitana Kahn sent Baraka and his Tarkatans to retrieve the material they need for King Jerrod. She, Fujin, Liu Kang, Shang Tsung and Jerrod await their arrival. Baraka and the Tarkatans carry back the Edenian Steel. King Jerrod looks pleased. They receive the bad news about Sub-Zero's failure to destroy Sektor with Geras' arrival. As a result, Frost has been captured. She sacrificed herself to ensure the clans survival.
"Kitana Kahn. We have your Edenian Steel. Just as Earthrealm promised." Baraka said.
"Thank you, Baraka. It is always so good to have you on our side now." Kitana said.
"Anything to avoid being a slaver dog to Shao Kahn for all eternity. The New Era have been in our favor so far. Far better than the Old Era." Baraka said.
"Agreed. On every word." Kitana said.
Baraka and his Tarkatans take their leave. As Baraka was just about gone, he stops to glare at the sorcerer. "One mishap, Shang Tsung. And I will eat you alive."
"I am fully aware, Baraka. I've always been entertained by your threats to me and others." Shang Tsung smirks. Baraka snarls before walking away.
"So this is the Edenian Steel you have wanted. Are you sure this will ensure our needs?" Liu Kang asked.
"Yes. I will have to melt it down and use the crown's old design to craft and forge this new one. However, this will not be easy. This may take me at least almost one day or two. I require protection while I work." Jerrod said.
"I will stay with you, father. I will not leave you here with this sorcerous snake. My mightiest warriors will assist you as well." Kitana offers her support.
"Thank you, my dearest daughter. I welcome the assist. I must work quickly if we are to turn the page against Geras. I promise I will not fail you, or mother. How must she rule Edenia without you and me." Jerrod said.
"We all do our duties. Many things have changed since the New Era begun. Many things that have happened before have happened before. Me, Alex and Liu Kang have done many things to ensure our continuing existence. But we could not revive you without erasing my other friends from existence." Kitana said.
"Not all of us are perfect, Kitana. You showed redemption when you betrayed Shao Kahn once you realized your true path. So has your mother. I too wish to show redemption. I want to do so by aiding you to end our threats once and for all. Liu Kang was wise to trust you. I am happy to support your decision." Jerrod said.
"Thank you, father. I was afraid of what you would have thought at first." Kitana said.
"Nonsense, daughter. Liu Kang has told me about what you have done to defeat Shao Kahn and trusting your earthrealmer friends. I have never gotten a chance to properly greet them as new allies. Liu Kang, Alex, Fujin. You made the right decision in trusting them. Liu Kang has told me about them." Jerrod smiles as he places a hand on her cheek. She smiles. Jerrod makes his way to what used to be Shang Tsung's original flesh pits and was made into a forgery for weapons and tools. Kitana had already ordered that Jerrod would be guarded and not to be interrupted by anyone, especially Shang Tsung.
In Edenia, Alex and Cassie are having a much better relaxing time. Cassie feels a little better from her sickness, but healers and guards are with them in case she gets sick again. Jade is with them as well. She is pleased to have her closest friends come to her original home. Jade felt pleased about Alex making the right choice after getting to know him. Alex figured this was a good idea to get away from the fighting. But he still preferred the safety of everyone else's over his. Cassie's safety was his top priority along with Jacqui, Jin, Takeda, Liu Kang, Kitana and Jade. They are going for a walk of fresh air with the amazing smell of regrown plants and refreshed water. They have been told about its history.
"Wow. You have to admit this is a relaxing place. Much better without any fire, explosions and shit. This isn't what I imagined honestly." Cassie said.
"Agreed. Not how I imagined our second wedding anniversary would go. But this is better." Alex said.
"As long as I get to spend eternity with the love of my life. Honestly, I never thought I'd get this far in life with all of this happening. Time travel, facing so many wars, peaceful realms. I'd thought none of this would happen." Cassie said.
"Normally, it is near impossible to predict the future. People change as time passes. But no one can make you change. Only you can do that." Jade said.
"Exactly. I at first didn't believe any of these existed until my first run in with Raiden and Fujin. Not to mention seeing Kano and discovering superpowers being real. And then they felt the right to tell me everything." Alex said.
"That reminds me. Kano is dead. Kabal killed him and they took back the Edenian Steel for the crown." Cassie tells them.
"Seriously? Shit." Alex said.
"Just as I said moments ago. I have been told about this Kabal. He used to be part of the Black Dragon." Jade said.
"Yeah. He got burnt like hell before he met Raiden and my parents. Kano fixed him up but Kabal still refused to go back. Most of his wounds were healed, but Shang Tsung couldn't heal his lungs." Cassie said.
"After hearing about him and showing redemption, I can't help but feel sorry for him now." Alex said.
"I don't blame you. None of us do. I even remember the time most of us except me didn't trust you." Cassie said.
"Because you're the smartest person I know." Alex smiles. Cassie smiles and replies by giving him a kiss.
"Thanks. Because I knew better." Cassie said.
It melts Jade's heart. She can't help but smile at the young couple. How they were able to stabilize their relationship and marriage so good was beyond her. Jade always wanted to think about raising a child with Kotal. She is no more than proud of how far they've gotten in life. They enjoy Jade's company, until a guard shows up.
"Jade. I apologize for interrupting." The guard said.
"It is alright. What do you need?" Jade asked.
"Empress Sindel has requested to see Alex immediately. She wishes to speak to him about something." The guard said.
"I shall escort him to Lady Sindel now." Jade said.
"No. I need you to watch over Cassie. Make sure nothing happens to her. Hopefully she won't get sick again. I promise I'll be fine." Alex said.
"Alright. Hopefully it'll be good and quick. Can't stand being so far away from you. You have to come back to me. Pronto." Cassie said. She feels tense. She's once again experiencing mood swings from her pregnancy.
Alex places a hand on her stomach. "Breathe, Cassie. It's okay. I promise I'll be okay. Just don't cause any trouble while I'm gone."
Cassie couldn't help but giggle. "Suppose you're right. I might cause a little trouble. Something good, something bad. Maybe both.
Alex smiles and leans in and kisses her. "I love you, Cassie."
"I love you too, Alex. Please be careful." Cassie said.
Alex nods and he goes with the guard to bring him to Sindel. They all wonder what she would want with him. Cassie continues to take steady breaths. She can't help but worry for her husband for what he is going through. Jade puts a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I know he will be alright. You must have faith in your loved ones, Cassandra." Jade tells her.
"I know. I always do. Mom and dad. Jacqui, Jin, Jax and Takeda. I always have faith in Alex. It's not that though. It's that damn subconsciousness in his head. I hope Sindel knows what she is doing." Cassie said.
"As do I, my friend." Jade said.
As Sindel stares out the window, she smiles and closes her eyes. She is pleased to hear her husband finally alive again after all this time. All the years they have lost together. Sindel wishes to make it up with him once they finally reunite after Jerrod finishes his work. Him, Sindel and Kitana all back together in one place.
"Empress. As you requested." The guard said, showing Alex.
"Thank you. You may leave us. I will call you for further instructions." Sindel said. The guard bows her head as she walks out the door. This leaves Alex and Sindel alone to talk.
"You wanted to see me, Empress Sindel?" Alex asked.
"Call me Sindel when we are alone with friends. Yes. I wanted to speak to you." Sindel said.
"Is it about what happened the other day? I swear I didn't mean to lash out like that. I'm never like that. I don't know how to control it." Alex said, feeling bad.
"It is exactly what I want to speak about, Alex. I understand what you are going through." Sindel said.
"You do? How?" Alex asked out of curiosity.
"Because I too have struggled with inner demons. I always thought myself partly responsible for Shao Kahn's reign over Edenia. I did nothing to save Jerrod from being executed by that monster. Leaving Kitana alone with him to be raised to be like him. My suicide was the only way to stop Shao Kahn from merging the realms. It was the only way to stop him." Sindel said.
"I remember hearing that. But I was told about something else regarding you. I was told about what happened in the Old Era when Cassie, Sonya and the others decided to tell me everything." Alex said.
"You happen to be right. After being revived by Shao Kahn and placed under his control, he transferred Shang Tsung's life force to me to make me even more powerful. Afterwards, I fought Raiden's newfound allies, including Cassandra's parents and Jacquline's father. I remember all that has happened. I could see what I was doing, hear what I was saying, but I was powerless. Trapped within my own head. I watched in horror as I slaughtered most of them. Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade survived, but I was more horrified when I killed Jade and stood over Kitana. I remember overhearing myself disowning her as my daughter and took part of her soul before she died. If Nightwolf had not sacrificed himself to kill me, I would've helped Shao Kahn succeed." Sindel explained.
"And you became Quan Chi's and Shinnok's servant, before you and the others served Kronika. How did you feel honestly after you became normal again and free from Shao Kahn?" Alex asked.
"I felt like I have earned a second chance at life. At redemption with my daughter Kitana. You three helped me with that while crafting the New Era. But I still retained my memories from the Old Era. Even after what has happened previously no longer exists, I still felt haunted by the memories of what I have done. So much pain me and my daughter have gone through." Sindel said, looking down.
"I understand your own pain. Really I do. I can relate." Alex said. He feels a lot of pity for both Sindel and Kitana. He knows how well Shao Kahn impacted their lives.
"Kitana and Jade have told me about you, Alex. About being lied to. Your whole life was manipulated by Kronika. Not knowing where your true origins were until your meeting with the Elder God Cetrion. Being told about your half human half elder god status. Nothing I have seen before. You must be the first. How did you react?" Sindel said.
"I was in total silence the whole way back from the trip. I couldn't believe Cetrion, but she was an Elder God of virtue, life and honesty. I was afraid of what Cassie and everyone would say. I was so pissed and sad at the same time I felt like a part of myself was breaking apart, that my life felt worthless. That was until Jacqui slapped my face and she and Cassie and Raiden convinced me to step up. Face my responsibilities. From there on, I chose to accept my half elder god status. That was what led me to meeting Jade and Kitana. I'm glad to have them as friends. Even though I killed Kronika, I still can't help but feel haunted by one thing." Alex said.
"And what would that be?" Sindel asked.
"My parents. My real parents. I realized that Kronika killed them. It was the only explanation. Why I vanished in the first place. I tried so hard to imagine what they looked like. I only knew what they could do. I failed to bring them back. I tried so hard to bring them back. Me, Liu Kang and Kitana all tried. I still feel like I failed. From time to time, I have had nightmares about them being killed on and off." Alex said.
"Do not doubt yourself, Alex. Not all of us are perfect. But there are still chances to improve. I have conquered my inner demons. Moved on. I had help from Kitana. I learned how to move on. You must do the same. It is not easy, but let me have faith in you as your wife does. Kitana and Jade do." Sindel said. She places a hand on his shoulder.
"How? How can I control something that is getting stronger? I can hear her voice getting louder and it's unbearable." Alex said.
"I have an idea." Sindel said. Guards come in. They await her orders. "Come, Alex. There is something I must show you." Alex nods to Sindel and her words and follows her. He hopes it'll help him control his emotions. Keep Kronika's subconsciousness at bay long enough.
At Kronika's Keep, Geras, Cetrion and Quan Chi are overseeing preparations for their next move. Geras seems confident in just about everything going to plan.
"Can you not see Liu Kang's visions, Geras?" Cetrion asked.
"No. Kronika can only share a fracture of visions as I go. Only Liu Kang can see full visions because of his status as the Time Keeper. It is only possible once I kill him. Then I will sacrifice myself to her. With mine and your souls combined with her together, He will not stand against us." Geras said.
"What of Alex? You still need him for the final task. He is fighting the subconsciousness. It will be hard for him to control it. Mother is trying to manipulate his emotions." Cetrion said.
"That is where Quan Chi comes in." Geras said as the warlock comes in.
"Awaiting your orders, master. I hope you have some intel on what your next phase of the plan is?" Quan Chi asked.
"Indeed. I have fractured visions of where Alex and Cassandra are. You know what you must do." Geras said. Quan Chi nods and he takes his leave. The warlock smiles in total confidence in Geras' abilities.
"And what of the Cyber Lin Kuei? Your plan was a success. However, this will not stop Kuai Liang from challenging Sektor and his abilities. We will be expecting everyone to come for us. Outworld, Edenia, the Special Forces. Even with our undead army and Quan Chi's and Shao Kahn's powerful magic, it will not be enough." Cetrion said.
"Have no fear, old friend. We have contingency plans." Geras said. Geras and Cetrion walk into a room. It looks like the factory of the Cyber Lin Kuie. Frost is hooked up in chains.
"You'll never win, Geras. Sub-Zero and his friends will finish Sektor. Once that happens, we will come for you." Frost glared at him.
"We shall see, Frost." Geras said. He and Sektor nod to each other. Sektor pushes a button and Frost starts moving. Cetrion looks on with a horrified and pitiful face as Frost starts screaming in a lot of pain. Slowly but surely, blood starts spilling onto the floor. The Elder God still could not shake off these strange emotions she is having. She is hoping to find out more.
Note: You may be wondering why Cetrion is back. That's an explanation for a different chapter. But the theme of inner demons fits well since Alex and Sindel can relate to the Demons they suffered. While Alex felt relieved that he avenged his parents, he still wishes he could do more.