My Empress
By Jurassicfatt
Tanya's POV, Evening, Unknown part of the Kuatan Jungle, Outworld
The sun sets over another day. I hold the Osh-tek commander, Koropak, by the throat. His spear lies on the ground a few feet away, sinking into the swampy water. His black eye swells, multiple burn marks on his face and arms. Still, he struggles in my grip, trying to escape.
"Let me go, you Edenian trai-ahh!" Koropak begins to spit, before I start choking him harder. He caught me while I was hunting a boar. Of course, it escaped thanks to him and his band of fools. I easily overpowered his soldiers, before beating him senseless. I could have easily ended it right there, but I want him to suffer. As I have. "You won't escape Kotal Kahn's judgement."
Hearing his name brings my blood to a boil. He and that disgusting Kytinn. That lying insect, D'Vorah. How they… They… Took her from me. I stare at the commander, my eyes filled with fury as my gaze burns into him. His face turns pale, realizing he's pissed me off.
"His judgement. Kotal's judgement… Kotal Khan is a good for nothing usurper. An Osh-tek who's time will come to pass. He was never worthy of the title. I do not fear his flames. He should fear mine! He took everything from me! My home. My life. My Empress! You think I care about his empty threats?" I yell, my grip tightening around his neck. Koropak grabs my arm with both hands, trying to break my hold and relieve the pressure, to no avail. My fingers dig into the soldier's throat, drawing blood. My mind recalls a memory. A beautiful summer night. The smell of flowers and embers from the fire. My fingers, so used to lighting enemies aflame, tenderly twirling her silky soft ebony locks, staring into those molten gold eyes. A smile. A laugh. A paradise I miss so dearly. I grit my teeth, blinking away the tears in my eyes and forcing the memory away. "Kotal's running out of time. He will die painfully, mark my words. He took away my world. And I intend to pay him back for that." I assert, before closing my eyes. My hand begins to warm, the caress of the flame the only thing left that can comfort me. I hear the Osh-tek screaming and feel him smacking me, but I remain still, letting my flames consume him. The smell of smoke, burning flesh and blood fills my nostrils. He screeches in pain, yelling for help. But no one is left to hear him. To heal him. He's alone, fighting for his life in a cruel world that not even his precious 'Kotal' controls.
His screams die down, his arms no longer gripping mine, and his body slumps down towards the ground. I chuck the husk to the side, his charred remains splashing into the muddy water nearby. His men are around him, their corpses blackened by my flames. Grabbing his spear, I pick it up from the water. I need it more than he does. I slowly walk deeper into the jungle, heading home. Any flies trying to bite my skin are quickly lit on fire, briefly igniting before falling towards the ground like little black rocks.
Finally, I reach my home. I remove the tarp, showing a dug-out hole I made a week ago. A 2x4 room, about 4 ft. deep, with various trinkets, a firepit, and a makeshift bed made of leaves, twine, and moss. I have to keep moving, to avoid Kotal's patrols. I use the ladder to climb down, before putting the leaf tarp back over, covering most of the opening. Using my pyromancy to start a fire, I go into my rations bag. A lizard I captured earlier, still wiggling in the jar I put it in, alongside 4 tuber vegetables and a few grapes. How the mighty Edenian has fallen. I break the spear in two, turning it into two long skewers to hold my food. I use my heat to quickly dry them and melt off the dirt. Taking the lizard in my hands, I grab it, the animal squirming around. I caress it in my hands, the green creature reminding me of an old friend. Reptile. The only Saurian on the council. He betrayed Mileena for that Osh-tek trash. He'd hate me if he knew what I was about to do. I'm glad.
Crack! I snap the lizard's neck, before using my knife to clean it of spikes and talons. I then skewer it on 1 of the spear tips, before setting up a spit and putting the lizard on it, turning it over the fire. I could have just used my pyromancy, but I'd probably overcook it. So, rotisserie it is. Continuing to periodically turn it, I use my knife to clean 2 tubers of dirt and possible worms, before putting them on the other spear tip and holding them over the fire. Soon enough, my food is cooked, so I carefully plate it on a flat stone. Some habits stick with you, I guess. My mother always said I had to have proper manners when eating. I don't suppose she'd imagine I'd be eating in a hole the middle of a jungle, but I can't change that. Washing and heating my knife, I cut the tubers into pieces, then grab a piece and eat. I chew, tasting the minute earthy flavour, before grabbing another. I then use my knife to cut away a piece of meat from the lizard, the smell drawing a growl from my stomach. I need something more than vegetables to sustain me. To keep up my strength for tomorrow's raid, or for any other bastards hunting me for Kotal. I eat a piece, the juicy meat and char making a mess of my hands. But I don't care. I get no pleasure from food anymore. Nothing tastes the same. Not without her.
There was a time when I'd give anything to go to dinner. Not a formal one with dignitaries. Those were always about politics and alliance, fixing the problems of Outworld and dealing with Earthly matters. No. I mean those dinners where it was just the 2 of us. The Empress and I. The beautiful tarps and fragrances around us as we drank wine and water. Discussed plans to create Outworld into a more modern world. To feel her cuddle into my arms as I feed her grapes, that long tongue coming out to pluck them off the vine. Or to roast hens and boar, and to bite food off each other's forks, my cheeks warming as her melodious voice teased me for 'being so proper'.
I finish my meal, if you want to call it that, before cleaning up the scraps. I place the bones and remains of the lizard into a bag, tying them to a nearby tree near a trap. Hopefully it'll catch another animal for tomorrow's breakfast. I heat up some water to clean my hands and face. I then wash myself with a rag, particularly my essentials: under the arms, my feet and legs, and my private parts. I close my eyes, remembering the baths we'd prepare for one another. Throwing flower petals into it, and preparing her favorite cleansing oils. Watching her walk in, a twinkle in her eyes as she'd smile warmly. To feel my pulse shoot up as she took off her magenta robes, revealing that supple skin of hers. Her muscular physique, with those bountiful breasts and hips, making my mouth water. A light chuckle escaping from her throat, she'd wiggle her finger, before pointing at me. I'd quickly disrobe, watching as she enters the pool, her hips swaying and catching my attention. I'd walk in after, slowly warming the water to her favorite temperature. We'd spend the next hour or so washing each other, using our hands to clean away the dirt and stress. Sometimes, the Empress would playfully splash me, which would result in a battle as we tried to get the upper hand. A fit of giggles would follow, before she'd grab me and hold me close.
I put my knife back in the holster, putting my jars away. I grab a few grapes and prepare my bed, popping them into my mouth. Their juice is bittersweet. I guess they're still unripe. I'll see if I can find more from a nearby caravan. I lie down, pulling a small half-torn garment from my pocket. A magenta face mask, still soft to the touch. I bring it to my face, taking in a whiff, hoping to smell her delicious scent again. My mind wanders back to those better days. We'd let the water drain, getting out of the bath together and drying ourselves. The Empress would take my hand, bringing us to her bedchambers. The wooden carved frames, covered with pink and purple sheets so soft you'd felt like you were sleeping on a cloud. She'd gently push me onto my back, her golden eyes staring in hunger. She'd go flush against me, her breasts and nipples rubbing against mine as she tasted my neck. I'd moan uncontrollably, the Empress growling in approval while our hands explored each other. Her soft tongue would slowly trace my lips, before I'd close my mouth around it and suck on it, bringing wanton moans from my beloved. I miss those kisses, so much. She'd pull away, using her tongue to trace over every part of me. I remember the rush up my spine when she'd taste my core, clutching the sheets in ecstasy as she made my toes curl. I'd use my strength to turn us over, sucking her stiff nipple into my mouth, flicking my tongue over it and using my fingers to play with the other one. A strangled hiss would escape from her mouth. Parting her legs, I'd place my knee between them and let her grind, her eyes looking at me lovingly. The room would fill with our moans and curses, the bed creaking from her movements, the Empress transforming into a sexual goddess before my very eyes.
"More, Tanya! Yes! More!"
I'd give her more, using my whole body to pleasure her. My hands. My mouth. My tongue. I'd pour everything into her, using my passion to convey the love I felt for her. She'd clutch my face tightly, sweat coating her body and her eyes rolling back as she came again and again. She would give me the same pleasure, bringing me to peak multiple times. We'd collapse into a pile of tangled limbs and warmth, basking in the afterglow, our heats synching up as we panted for air. Her hands would play with my hair, whispering in my ear and telling me her thoughts. Her fears. Her dreams. Of wanting to be accepted, regardless of her origins. Of crushing her enemies, her doubters, and her deceivers. Of wanting to rebuild the empire, to a more modern way without suffering. And of the day when she could hold a child in her arms and tell them how much they meant to her. Of the two of us being mothers who would cherish them and teach them both Edenian and Outworlder ways. I promised to give her that, once Kotal's rebellion was destroyed. I promised her…
My eyes water, the tears starting to fall as I heave in breath. "Mileena." I say aloud, my sobs cutting in. "Mileena, I'm *cries* sorry! I'm so sorry! I couldn't protect you. I couldn't keep my promise! I'm sorry. I'll kill him. Kill him and that Kytinn who took you from me! They will die in agony, wishing they'd never been born! That's a promise I intend to keep." I declare, still clutching the garment in my hands. "I love you. I love you, Mileena. And I miss you... Please… Please come back to me…" I cry, holding myself in my arms. Wishing they were hers. Wishing she was here to wipe my tears and tease me once again. Wishing I could somehow change the past.
I cry myself to sleep, the fire pit's flames dissipating, leaving the hut in nothing but darkness.
The End
A/N: Hey everybody. Hope you're all doing well. Time to branch out a bit. Like many others, I love Mortal Kombat. I got this idea and had to write it. It's a shorter and more emotional fic, but I'm proud of it. I know I changed Mileena's design to resemble the MK11 version, instead. This story was meant to take place between MKX & MK11. This is a pairing I've loved since they're introduction back in MKX, so I hope you guys enjoyed. If you did, feel free to leave a review. It shows me that people enjoy my work, which is always appreciated. More updates/stories on the way, so keep an eye out. Until next time, remember to enjoy your day!