Kotal was riding his steed slowly beside Reiko's with a small army of Shao Kahn's elite guards trailing behind them. Kotal knew their destination far to well. It had been a place of one of his darkest secrets. A secret that if told would mean the end of his life. They were headed to the wasteland hold that few ever dared to visit. It was well deep into the wasteland, beyond the areas of civilization. The wasteland held many creatures not often seen by Outworld's population. Giant three eyed oni, dragons the size of Shao Kahn's castle, feathered vultures who flew high overhead waiting for fresh prey, giant wolf like creatures that stalked from varying distances. These were just the few of many creatures that the pair of them had happened across on today's ride to the stronghold. The wasteland was rightly named. The sky was a dark purple, the darkest Kotal had ever seen. The ground was made of sand, and mounds of it could be seen piling up to make giant hills. Fires started in an explosion of combustion instantly in many directions. Pillars had been firmly planted into the ground, and the corpses of men long decayed remained impaled upon them. The purple sigil of the Dragon King flapped against the wind as Kotal rode past. Skeletons littered the sands in a combination of either full skeletons, or just pieces of them.
Kotal had traveled out here many of times, always with Reiko. Just a few weeks ago he had been out here searching for Reptile, but it proved useless. Looking for anyone in these wastelands was a lost cause. Anyone hiding out here would be dead within a fortnight. Kotal thought this of Reptile. He had figured Reptile had already been devoured by some sort of beast. Reiko had insisted otherwise. When Reiko had come to Kotal the previous morning with news of Reptile being spotted in the Wasteland he seemed to believe it a strong possibility. Kotal rarely ever disagreed with Reiko on such matters, but on this one he had.
"What has you so sure that Reptile is out here?" Kotal asked from his horse. Reiko gave him a look of small shock, and quickly turned his head to face forward at the path they had been traveling on.
"Why do you ask me such a question?" He answered with a question of his own.
"We have searched these parts for the better half of a week, and have yet to find any hint of Reptile. Why do we continue to search these areas for him?" Kotal pointed out what he thought the flaw to all of this was. Reiko was silent for sometime after hearing Kotal's thoughts. Eventually he spoke.
"In your reckless wave of thought have you even asked yourself why you accompanied me out here?" Kotal took note that his question had made Reiko annoyed. The only time Reiko was annoyed was usually when somebody asked him a foolish question, or made an idiot's mistake. Despite knowing that he had annoyed Reiko, Kotal opened his mouth to speak.
"I followed you because it was your order, and because you are my guardian, and superior." Kotal spoke respectfully. Reiko nodded his head twice at Kotal's response.
"It was your duty as my ward, and as my subordinate. I too am a subordinate of Shao Kahn. This is his command, and so I obeyed it. If Shao Kahn believes that Erron's reports of Reptile being sighted are true, then so shall I." Reiko finished boldly. Kotal said nothing for a time as their horses continued to ride through the sandy terrains of the wastelands. Kotal saw the destination. The Wasteland hold. Black Stone, as it was called. The stronghold was reportedly a military Outpost of Onaga's back during his reign of Outworld. Some say aside from the hundreds of spiked pillars scattered around the wasteland with the Dragon King's banner, the stronghold is the last standing reminder of Onaga's rule. The hold was quite defendable. Black, towering walls made from aged stone stood tall enough to keep out the monsters of the waste. Archers were standing on the flattest of the stones, and searching the distant void for any beast to sink their arrows into. Reiko, Kotal, and Shao Kahn's guards stopped just short of the large gate made of what appeared to be freshly carved wood. Kotal noted that the gate seemed to have been rebuilt since his last voyage.
The gate lowered instantly, and Reiko led Kotal, and the army into the hold. Kotal saw the men, and women who resided within the Outpost. It was a mixture of races who had been marked as outcast by Shao Kahn. Exiled from the Outworld society, and thrust into the Wasteland. This was where they would flee, and stay for the rest of their existence. These people were heavily armored with many different materials. Some wore traditional armor, while others wore skins of animals, with bone crafted helms, among other types. The ruler of the Outpost had stepped forward. Kotal had known this man before he was exiled here. He was Erron Black. He dressed the part of a wastelander as well. A black cowboy hat, long black leather boots, a brown leather vest, and small black, withered cape that flowed behind him with each step.
"Grand General, and his boy, Tarkatan General" Erron Black said with a tip of his hat. Kotal was not familiar with his Earthrealm ways, but he had always taken that usual gesture as a showing of respect.
"Erron Black." Reiko nodded in return. Kotal knew the history here, and it always gave him a slight feeling of tension. Especially when Erron had tipped his hat with his own uniquely crafted hook hand. Erron Black had lost his right hand as late as twelve years ago when Kotal was a young boy. Not too long after his arrival in Outworld. There was a revolt against Shao Kahn led by the Kytinn Queen D'Vorah after her realm had been merged with Outworld, and her armies defeated. She had taken a stronghold of Shao Kahn's under her control with the help of her advisor Bo Rai Cho. She had a brute of a bodyguard named Torr who was always followed by a small woman named Ferra. She also had Erron Black, and his band of outlaws as her main army. An army she had bought. Kotal had once been swayed by Bo Rai Cho to join them in the hold, and train under him so that he could aid in dethroning Shao Kahn. Kotal, only a small boy, and still upset over what happened to his family joined them, and began training under Bo Rai Cho. Kotal still remembers his lessons faintly, and recalled actually enjoying his time with the plump fighter.
Needless to say Reiko was enraged, as much as Shao Kahn was at the revolt, with Reiko in particular not knowing why his ward was among the rebels. Eventually D'Vorah's forces were forced to retreat within the walls of the Black Stone, with these exiled men, and women who joined her army for a chance to rejoin society. Reiko, and Kintaro all alone made the ride through the Wasteland, and led the assault on the rebels inside. Kotal remembered the offer of a peaceful surrender Reiko made to D'Vorah as she looked down on him from the walls.
"Give me the boy, and I will spare you a painful death, and prehaps I can convince Shao Kahn to let your armies stay here untouched." Kotal remembered Reiko offer loudly.
"This one will not surrender until Shao Kahn breathes no more!" D'Vorah would reply. From there the fight was on. Kintaro would give a loud roar, and then suddenly Erron Black, and his outlaws turned their weapons on D'Vorah, and the exiles. Erron opened the gate, and Reiko and Kintaro stormed the stronghold and started butchering everyone in sight. D'Vorah had been captured to be brought back to Shao Kahn for punishment, Torr had been decapitated by Reiko, while Ferra had cried at his body before too being decapitated. Bo Rai Cho had been protecting Kotal from the fighting inside one of the Black Stone's few usable rooms, until Reiko broke through the door.
Reiko, and Bo Rai Cho both fought, but Reiko got the better of him by slicing him from his shoulder across to his hip. Clean in half. Reiko would then kick him, causing his body to separate. Kotal had watched him much like he had watched his father a few years prior during Shao Kahn's invasion. Reiko turned to Kotal with blood covering his face making his pure white eyes stand out more than usual. Kotal had tears in his eyes, not of horror, but of shame.
"It's over you're safe now." Reiko spoke softly as he noticed the tears running down the boy's face. Shao Kahn's guards had begun entering the room to see what had transpired.
"Reiko I... I betra-" Kotal recalled.
"I know son.. I know." Reiko spoke softly as he hugged Kotal with a squeeze stronger than he'd ever felt at the point.
"It's okay. It's done. He'll never hear of it. Let's go home." Reiko hushed Kotal who was sobbing softly in his arms. Kotal always wondered if Reiko actually understood what that was about. Kotal wasn't upset that he had betrayed Shao Kahn. He was ashamed of himself for betraying the one person left who still cared for him, and that was Reiko. Needless to say Reiko had covered up Kotal's betrayal by claiming that D'Vorah, and the others had kidnapped the boy to get at him. Erron Black had escaped death by betraying D'Vorah, but lost his hand as justice for his role in the whole ordeal to begin with, and then he was exiled to the Black Stone to live out his days. D'Vorah had been stripped naked, and burned to a pillar just outside Shao Kahn's castle. Erron, and Reiko refused to talk about those times in their current talks, but the memories of those events make it quite hard to trust each other.
"You report seeing Reptile in the Wasteland?" Reiko cut to the chase quickly just how Erron liked it.
"Me? No not me, but my scouts have. I got it on good authority from my head scout Li Mei that the green skin's been poking around the wasteland sea. Likely staying alive from drinking the water." Erron reported causally.
"The water is known to be cursed. It kills all who drink from it. I highly doubt has been drinking from it." Kotal added. Erron raised an eyebrow, and with a small charming smirk began to speak.
"Are you sure about that general? Legends say that Zateryns can survive almost anything aside from decapitation." Erron replied.
"Reptile is the very last of his race. If the legends of the Zateryn's survival skills were true they wouldn't have died out." Kotal retorted. Erron gave a chuckle at that.
"Either way. My info is legit." Erron Black insisted as he turned his attention from Kotal to Reiko.
"I'd like to speak with Li Mei." Reiko demanded.
"Sure, sure. She's in one of the rooms of the fort. Check the one up on the far left." Erron pointed up at one of the few rooms that overlooked the out post's battlements. Reiko, and Kotal would quickly take their leave of Erron, and marched up the black colored stone steps that led to the housing section of the stronghold. Reiko approached one of the nearby wooden doors, and knocked gently. The door opened, and there stood a young woman dressed in all purple robes. They were designed quite well, and looked freshly bought. Kotal observed her carefully. She was likely just a few years older than him. She had a young, girlish face, and long flowing black hair. Kotal wondered what such a beautiful woman would have done to end up exiled out here in the wasteland.
"Yes?' She asked eyeing Reiko, and Kotal up, and down. After noticing their armor she seemed to understand their presence.
"You're the Kahn's generals are you not? No doubt you want the information on Reptile." She said crossing her arms with a frown on her face.
"You would be right. You said you last saw him by the dead sea?" Reiko asked curiously. Li Mei shrugged as if the matter was of little importance to her.
"It looked like him. That's all I can really say about it. You don't really see many lizards walking around anymore do you?' She asked coyly. With that Reiko, and Kotal both gave each other a quick glance. No doubt Kotal knew what Reiko did. This Li Mei woman thought she was smarter than them. Clearly she never heard of Reiko, and Kotal.
"You'll ride with us at daylight. You, and Erron both. We're a two days trip from the dead sea. You'll show me where you saw him." Reiko demanded boldly.
"Would be happy to." Li Mei exclaimed with a smirk. Reiko lifted his chin up, and glared with his pure, white eyes into her small brown ones, as if to intimidate her.
"We'll be staying in your room." Reiko stated simply. Li Mei's face scrunched up in displeasure of hearing that.
"Sorry, I don't feel like bedding any Outworld generals tonight." She protested instantly.
"You won't be. You'll be sleeping out in the yard with the other exiles, while me and my comrade take over your room for the night." He explained carefully, yet his demanding tone didn't sway.
"No, Erron, and I share these quarters! We run this place, and keep it going! We shall remain warm in our bed tonight." She argued as she stood behind the door. Kotal put his foot out before she could close it, and held it open.
"Erron may be your leader, but when the top generals of Shao Kahn's army are summoned to a hold such as this they take command for the duration of their stay. I'll have my men build a fire to keep you, and the others warm, but these quarters now belong to me for the time being. Failure to comply will result in a hanging." Reiko warned in a low tone. Li Mei looked outraged, but kept her eyes down.
"As you command my Lord." She replied. With that she left the room, and Reiko, and Kotal stepped into the room. It was quite cozy. A fire had been built, and was keeping the room toasty. A large double sided bed stood against one of the small rooms walls, and a long red rug was centered in the middle of the floor. Banners had hung around the ceiling with Onaga's sigil. They were likely older than Shao Kahn himself. A bookshelf resided on the far left of the room, and a small table was placed beside it. Reiko pulled up a chair, and grabbed a large, dusty book from the surprisingly small collection of novels.
"The generals, and servants of the Dragon King Onaga. Volume 2." Reiko spoke with great interest, as he flipped the book open.
"Written by the scribe Edward of Midway in the year one-thirty AK." He explained as he observed a meaty paragraph of text. Kotal looked over at him curiously.
"You never told me of your fascination with the Dragon King." Kotal noted as he walked over to stand beside Reiko.
"Onaga was a fool, but his generals, and his advisors are what interest me. Legends say that Scribe Edward wrote five unique volumes one hundred, and thirty years after Onaga's death. Each volume detailing five different aspects of the old kingdom before Shao Kahn took the Outworld throne. Book one, Onaga's Dragons, book two, Onaga's generals, and servants, book three, Onaga's family lineage, and origins, book four, Onaga's policies, and social structures, and book five, Onaga's campaigns, and battles." He spoke from memory. Kotal always knew how much Reiko loved his books.
"Volumes one, and four are commonly found, but are heavily annotated by others, Edward's work on those titles are almost diminished. Volume three is believed lost to history, and volumes two, and five are very rare. Even more rare in their original forms. Volume two being here is a surprise. Especially in good condition." Reiko seemed rather joyed to have found this book in particular.
"Did you know that Shao Kahn served as Onaga's advisor back during his reign?' He asked Kotal as he turned to the page that referenced Shao Kahn's history in Onaga's army. Kotal had heard the rumors, and any smart man would know they were likely true.
"The Outworld records say that Onaga, and Shao Kahn never got along, and Onaga would often decline Shao Kahn's input on delicate matters towards the end of his reign." Kotal replied showing Reiko his knowledge on the subject.
"What use is there in having an advisor if you're not going to listen to their advice? That was ultimately Onaga's greatest weakness, and what would eventually bring down his empire. He became foolish in his later years." Reiko surmised. Kotal thought of it differently.
"I would say Shao Kahn bashing in his lord's skull with his Warhammer was the main reason for his downfall. No one expects betrayal, especially those in need of protection from it." Kotal remembered the words Reiko had said to him as they overlooked the burning would be assassins from the balcony just days prior. Reiko looked up from the book to look over at Kotal. His face had turned stone cold. Kotal thought he must have taken those words as an insult.
"Shao Kahn advanced Outworld from it's barbaric state. If not for him you would likely have been eaten alive by the Tarkatans. Shao Kahn's rule brought a sense of civilization for these creatures. If not for him it would have only been us humans, and the Shokan. Centaurs, Tarkatans, and Zateryn's all would still be bloodthirsty monsters with not an ounce of thinking capability. Do not speak as if Shao Kahn's betrayal was a horrific deed." Reiko spoke clearly, and obviously with great admiration towards the current emperor.
"I meant no disrespect Reiko. I just believe that his actions were not very honorable." Kotal implied.
"Shao Kahn has made enough honorable decisions in his lifetime. One act of dishonor does not ruin the good he has done." Reiko insisted as he closed the book shut softly. One act of dishonor? Shao Kahn has invaded realms, and executed entire races. Kotal saw no honor in those deeds, and Kotal so wished that Reiko would see that Shao Kahn wasn't some great war hero. He was a monster in a mask. Protected by his guards who blindly follow him out of loyalty. Kotal saw nothing wrong with Reiko's admiration for Shao Kahn. He just wished Reiko would admit to admiring a demon. Kotal would never say these thoughts out loud as they were treasonous thoughts, and would lead to an early grave, but he could not help but have them from time to time.
The only good thing in Kotal's mind that Shao Kahn has made in his reign was princess Kitana. She would be more honorable than any previous Lord of Outworld. She was beautiful, caring, and would never inflict any cruel acts upon anyone. The very opposite of Mileena, who reminded Kotal of Shao Kahn every time they met. Kotal thought it a shame that Kitana sat in a cell with her titles, and her status of heir at stake, while her vile twin sister roamed freely with the arrogant prince Rain.
"You are right Reiko." Kotal agreed to appease him. Kotal saw that Reiko was indeed honorable. Perhaps the most honorable man in the entirety of Outworld. If only Shao Kahn didn't exist. Then maybe Reiko would have been the one on the throne. Maybe then Outworld would have truly been the greatest realm in the universe.