Ashrah couldn't believe she had been welcomed into Earthrealm by Liu Kang, let alone be accepted into the Wu Shi Academy and given the opportunity to train with the Shaolin Masters. She had not considered herself someone worthy of that, but Liu Kang did, and she would make sure to live up to her potential to the best of her ability. Before when she was just a submissive demon, she only knew pain and violence. The Netherrealm had been her "Home," if you could even call it that. Now, things were different, she was different. Ashrah knew the error of her way and had a new home. A real home. The joy of emotion she felt was tempered though, for Quan Chi was still at large along with the looming threat of Shang Tsung and his leader. There would be time to relish in this new life later, first came training. Training that would help Ashrah prepare for her new duty.
Swish! a pair of fists soared through the air in rapid succession, following a choreographed pattern. The fists, covered in black fingerless gloves, belonged to Syzoth, another fellow newcomer to Earthrealm who was currently practicing his moves; his feet hopping off the pavement in rhythm with his swings. Syzoth was a Zaterran with the unique ability of shape shifting between his true reptilian form and a human form who too had bad blood with Shang Tsung. Having been used as his labrat, Syzoth suffered this fate to save his family, only to learn that they had been killed long ago. Now, Syzoth was determined to put an end to the reign of terror that Shang Tsung was bringing to avenge his fallen family.
The training session for the day had been dismissed already but Syzoth remained in the courtyard outside going over what he was taught. He felt his body growing weary but ignored it, persistent in staying sharp and ready.
"Still going Syzoth?" Said the voice of Ashrah, joining him in the courtyard, dressed in the orange gi that the academy provided.
"Yes. The fight back at Sun Do was only the beginning and truthfully, I don't think I would've survived without everyone's help. I must be prepared for what's coming ahead." Syzoth replied, briefly stopping to face Ashrah.
"I don't know, you held your own well out there." Ashrah insisted. "We will be ready for whatever Quan Chi and Shang Tsung have up their sleeves."
"That I hope." Syzoth sighed.
Ashrah knew what motivated Syzoth and didn't blame him for how he felt. It was a fight she had been facing herself. She sympathized with Syzoth and had only hoped he didn't push himself too hard. Those emotions, those feelings, would drive anyone's intensity.
"Hmm, perhaps we can test each other." Ashrah offered.
"By what do you mean? Like sparring?" Syzoth asked, clarifying.
"Precisely."
Ashrah and Syzoth stood across from each other, taking their own fighting stances. After a moment passed, Ashrah launched the first attack, aiming a punch at Syzoth's midsection. Syzoth reacted quickly, sidestepping the attack and countering with a strike of his own, his movement almost a blur. Ashrah's defense had been formidable; deflecting the strike with ease. The courtyard came to life with sounds of their clash echoing around them. A combination of striking, kicking, blocking, and countering. The Shaolin Master's training had proven to be effective, an exchange of techniques on display that highlighted the fact. It wasn't long until sweat trickled down their faces, their breaths exhaling rapidly.
"Had enough yet?" Syzoth asked with a playful tease.
"I was just to ask you the same." Ashrah smirked.
Their focus was renewed, and the sparring session continued. Anticipating moves from each other, their awareness on high alert, Ashrah and Syzoth's exchanges pushed themselves to their limits. Even with moments of fatigue, neither had submitted. Looking to trip her up, literally, Syzoth watched her body movement and waited for the opportunity to strike. The circle of opening came when Ashrah targeted his shoulder. Rolling under her arm, Syzoth swept Ashrah's legs and dropped her to the ground. "Nice try Ashrah, but here I stand." Syzoth extended his hand to her.
"Well played Syzoth, but must you forget, never lend a hand to a potential foe." Ashrah took his hand and pulled him forward.
Syzoth tripped over his feet and fell on top of Ashrah. Syzoth's trembling breath hitched at the sight of Ashrah, caught in his throat, a suspended moment of silence as if his voice had been momentarily snatched by his mixture of emotion. Their noses touched, eyes locked onto each other. Whatever Syzoth had been feeling, Ashrah had felt it too. What was it?
Scrambling to his feet, Syzoth awkwardly apologized. "I-I am sorry Ashrah, I did not intend to…" he trailed off.
"N-No, please, it was my fault. I didn't think you'd fall on top of me…" Ashrah brushed it off. She had been aiming to pull him onto the ground like herself, but not in the way it happened.
A period of silence fell amongst them, both tired, flustered, and unsure what to say next. The tension would be cut by two newcomers approaching the courtyard. Johnny Cage and Kenshi.
"What's with all that commotion? We aren't interrupting anything… are we?" Johnny asked the other two, looking between them.
"Not at all, we were just finishing up training." Syzoth insisted, trying to sound confident.
"It seems we have lost track of time." Ashrah realized, noticing the sun dipping into an orange descent.
"Right. We were just sent over to make sure everything was groovy." Johnny said, still casting looks between the two.
"Everything is fine. We're heading back now." Syzoth said assuringly, not making eye contact with the group as he started forward toward the temple.
Ashrah quietly followed, keeping her distance. Johnny and Kenshi stayed behind for a second, watching. "Did that also feel… strange to you?" Kenshi asked Johnny.
"My dear friend, I think we both know what's going on." Johnny pat Kenshi on the shoulder. "Didn't see it coming. Sorry, poor choice of words."
"Tasteful wording aside, I don't think I fully follow Cage."
"Do I need to spell it out? Come on, let's head back and I'll explain."
Night casts its shadow over the Wu Shi Academy, the moon in full bright view. Ashrah lay in her sleeping quarters but couldn't find herself entering slumber. Her eyes watched the ceiling, her mind replayed the moment shared between herself and Syzoth earlier. She wasn't sure what it was she felt. The look in his eyes, the little brush of his touch, it had been stuck on her mind for the last few hours. What was this sensation? And why did a part of her want to experience it again? No, she couldn't afford such distractions. Not now.
The sounds of footsteps broke her train of thought. They grew near, passing by the doorway, then descending down the hallway until it faded away. Ashrah softly stood up and opened the sliding door to her quarters, curiously peeking her head out. At the end of the hall exiting through the entrance was Syzoth. Ashrah leaned back and took a deep breath. She was tempted to follow but resisted. These feelings she did not want to face now. It was complicated.
Outside, Syzoth wandered back to the courtyard and sat cross legged, letting the nighttime ambience settle on his mind. He couldn't sleep either and needed to clear his mind. From escaping Outworld, to training with the Shaolin Monks, everything was moving fast. Soon they would be confronting Shang Tsung again, Syzoth was sure of it. What then? When Shang Tsung was defeated, what was next for him? Syzoth wasn't one to think ahead, but he never had those opportunities to begin with. He was free from Shang now. He had free will to make his own decisions and he didn't know where to begin.
First things first, stop Shang Tsung. Syzoth knew that much. He couldn't let anything get in the way of that. Not even Ashrah, who also shared a space in his conflicting thoughts. Syzoth returned to his quarters later, able to finally catch some sleep. He would need it. The next day came the final hours. The beginning of a new Armageddon.
The champions of Earthrealm gathered outside the temple, gravitating towards the enlarged portal that would bring them to the Pyramid of Argus. Ashrah and Syzoth exchanged knowing glances with each other, the first acknowledgment between the two since yesterday.
"The time has come, Syzoth." Said Ashrah, gripping her Kriss.
"It has. Let us finish this."
"Together." They mouthed in unison, turning back to the portal and entering it.