Reiko stared over Kotal's lifeless body with a heart filled of dread. He had never felt grief like this before, and the feelings he was experiencing was enough to make himself sick to his stomach. In his eyes this was his son. His baby boy. To see Kotal lying on a bed, made of pure white, as the outworld priest hovered on either side of him. Hovering, and casting spells to prolong his suffering. It was heartbreaking. Kotal's eye was gone, ruptured by that beast of the wasteland. Reiko wished the monster had survived the battle only so he could inflict more torture upon it. In the room with Reiko, were the prince Rain, and the princess Mileena. As Reiko stood by Kotal's bedside, holding his hand firmly, Rain, and Mileena were seated in nearby chairs. Reiko had wished them gone in secret, but he would never speak out of turn to one of Shao Kahn's daughters.
"A shame." Rain spoke simply from his seat.
"He had potential to be a great warrior Reiko, but now he is useless. I'd let the priests bring an end to his agony." He finished with a disappointing sigh.
Reiko hid his rage deep. He could not allow himself to show how offended he was at the prince of Outworld's words.
"It will take much more than this to render Kotal useless." Reiko replied. His eyes never leaving Kotal's body.
"He will be useless on the battlefield." Mileena chimed.
"Even if he survives what good is a one-eyed general?" She asked Reiko. He met her yellow, tarkatan-like gaze. Reiko had always hated Tarkatan eyes. They showed no sympathy, no remorse, and they often reeked of jealousy, but he had no response to her question. He turned back to Kotal. His blue war paint, that he had always worn in honor of his homeland, and of his heritage, had faded from his visage. He was as pure white as the bed he lay in. His head was wrapped in a bandage that covered his missing eye. His blood was dried, and crusted, and covered his mouth, and face. Reiko barely could recognize the boy he had seen just a few days prior riding beside himself on the way to the Black Stone. What'd Reiko give to have that day back. He would have made it right. He would have sent Kotal back to the tower. Never insisting that he venture into the wasteland.
"The general's heart still beats despite the damage done to his body. He still just might pull through." One of the hovering priests spoke aloud to the other across from him. Reiko watched carefully for the reaction of the other priest, who's face, as docile as ever, listened to his mentor's words, and became even more focused than ever before. A dark orb formed itself over Kotal, and surrounded his body. Hope encased Reiko's previously dreadful thoughts.
He is as strong as his father. He will pull through!
Reiko observed quietly as the priest continued their work. Mileena, and Rain on the other hand were seemingly losing interest in witnessing Kotal's struggle for life.
"Kotal was intended to run on the frontlines alongside you during the invasion, was he not?" Rain asked curiously. Reiko had no reply to this question either. He very wished that the pair of them would leave him be. The last topic in which he wished to discuss were battlefield tactics. His son's life was in peril for Shinnok's sake!
"It appears we shall need to find another able-bodied warrior to replace him. Should he pull through he still would be in no condition to wage war on the Earthrealmers. Prehaps I should speak with the emperor, and suggest that myself be placed at the forefront alongside you. My natural elemental gifts would surely prove useful." Rain expressed confidently.
"Yes Lord Raiden, and the others will tremble greatly at the sight of water dripping down gently upon their heads. Yes young prince, they will learn to bask in your watery presence." Reiko's mind spoke to itself, full of malice. Reiko easily understood why so many had thought Rain to be an arrogant, and overconfident foot licker. He had been this way since he was a child, and each day he appears more, and more cocksure.
Reiko knew that there indeed was truth to the statement, that Kotal would be incapable of taking the reigns in the battle to come. He would be lucky to ever walk again, let alone hold his daggers and swing them. Reiko couldn't help but think that Kotal was not entirely ready to become General of the Tarkatans, and prehaps Reiko had been a fool to endorse Kotal to Shao Kahn when he was questioned about his talents.
"Yes Rain, You would make for a beautiful display on the battlegrounds!" Mileena's oozing love for the prince was overflowing from her Tarkatan mouth.
"My father would bestow upon you the title of Outworld's Champion after you'd slay the thunder god!" Mileena cheered from her seat. Her eyes admiring the prince. As soon as she finished her ringing endorsement a deep, and intense voice filled the room. "Mileena, Rain, get out."
Shao Kahn appeared from within the doorway with his niece Tanya hidden away behind his towering height. Mileena, and Rain gave each other a quick glance, before rising from their seats, and excusing themselves from the room. Tanya found herself comforting Reiko in a long embrace, as Shao Kahn moved slowly over to Kotal's bedside. His stern stare was unbreakable.
"I am so sorry Reiko." Tanya hushed into Reiko's ear. He looked at her through her beautiful green eyes. For years their relationship had been kept secret from all within Kahn's court. Only Shao Kahn himself knew of it's existence, and he was never opposed to it.
"I have failed him." Shame pounded at his heart when he finally admitted to the words that had been eating him alive his whole travel back to Shao Kahn's tower. He felt Tanya's body squeeze up tighter to his own.
"No." Shao Kahn spoke stiffly. His head turned to look Reiko in the eyes.
"I should never have made him a general. Clearly the boy was not ready, but that is not through fault of your own. The Osh-Tekk were made up of inferior blood. I was mistaken to believe he would one day grow into a valiant warrior, even with you training him. Much like Kitana with Reptile, I have failed you with being too trusting of other's potential for greatness." He informed.
"I say we take the priests away, and let the boy rejoin his true family in death." Reiko's body jolted at Shao Kahn's words. It seemed Tanya felt this, and held onto him tighter.
"Please my lord!" Reiko gasped louder than he intended to. Shao Kahn continued staring into Reiko's eyes.
"The beast that maimed him met it's own end by Kotal's hands alone." Reiko lowered his voice in an attempt to hide his fear of Shao Kahn's suggestion. "Kotal only fell after the beast was slain. He had fought bravely, even saving my own life during the fight." Reiko lied intentionally on those last words. As Reiko, and Shao Kahn's eyes danced with each other, Shao Kahn gave a sigh of relief, and nodded. The tension died down immediately as Shao Kahn turned his attention back to Kotal. Reiko looked down again into Tanya's sparkling eyes. Relief filled her face, as much as it had filled Reiko's head.
"By your account Reiko the boy should be treated as a hero. Should he survive I will ensure he will be." Shao Kahn spoke. Reiko walked over to stand by his idol's side.
"Without him Erron Black would have spiked our heads on the Blackstone's walls." Said Reiko.
"They will be slaughtered for this slight. If Black thinks what I did to his arm was cruel punishment. Just he wait for what I will do when we capture him. He will rule the day he betrayed us." Shao Kahn growled bitterly through clinched teeth.
"Black, and the outlaws will have no doubt fled to Earthrealm by now. Once we begin invading we will send out the extermination squads after them, and we will get them Reiko. I promise you." Tanya added. Reiko wanted to be there for when they were captured. Prehaps he could think more upon the ways he would torture Erron Black, and Li Mei? Maybe if, and when Kotal was healed?
"Spare the general no expense priests." Shao Kahn's intensity pulled the docile priest from his deep focus.
"Treat him as if he were my own blood. Cure him. If you fail I will have your heads crushed in with my hammer." Shao Kahn instructed seriously. He again turned to face Reiko.
"I sincerely hope your boy pulls through Reiko. If you need anything come straight to me. If anyone disturbs you make me aware, that goes for Mileena, and Rain as well." Reiko smiled warmly at his lord and nodded. Shao Kahn matched his nod, and turned to exit the room. Tanya stayed beside Reiko, and watched as the priests continued their work. Reiko was happy she was with him. He put his arm around her, and again they held each other close. He took a second to notice her bright yellow dress. It reminded Reiko of the bright light Kotal had summoned when the beast had burned to death in that cave. He still couldn't figure out what that was about. Prehaps he would never know what that was.
Thanks to everyone who has kept up with this story for the long haul, and to those just discovering it, and enjoying it thank you as well! I've created a poll for you to all vote on which will tell me which character you're enjoying the most, so if you've got the time check it out, and let me know who you're liking the most! - Brady