The Order of Six
Hours earlier, Dairou reported on the state of his guardsmen in Outworld as well as the state of those who were transported to Earthrealm during the merging of the realms. It seemed as though the merger was nearing completion, yet still required something or someone to make the final push. Anomaly was nowhere to be found in either realm. Her lone warrior in Earthrealm was later confirmed to be neutralized by an unknown force of warriors. The realm was in disarray and less than 500,000 of their population is left as reported by Outworld's census bureau, the fastest and most accurate in all the realms.
The on-going war in Outworld was coming to a high point, but Dairou was instructed to end the war quickly and return to Seido. And so he did, calling for a truce with Kotal Kahn. However, he learned that the one who thought was Ko'otal was actually his father, Kotal K'etz. After a harsh battle, he was reported to have killed the Osh'Tekk. The two Shaolin, Lui Kang and Kung Lao, were also no where to be found, though rumor has it that they've escaped along with Lui Kang's brother, Chan. As for the Emperor Kotal Kahn…
As Governor Tallen stares outside his tower, he spots four warriors of different species arrive from a portal. Behind them were many warriors similar to who he believes to be their leaders. His face reddens and sweat dripped down his neck as he sees the invaders. He removes his hat and wipes the sweat running down his head as well.
"They're on the platform already?" Tallen said rhetorically. He turns his attention upward onto the fifth platform as he sees a small group traversing it as well. "Dang you, Dairou. Why didn't you return?"
"Should we split some of our forces to support the upper platform?" one of his guardsmen asked.
"Send the Justice Brigade to handle it," he ordered.
"Wouldn't Eunomia be against bringing them away from the top platform?"
"Something tells me they'll serve a better purpose defending Dairou's platform. If the third or fifth platforms fall, the enemy will have a direct lead to Eunomia."
"What?" another guard questioned.
"That information does not leave this room. If anyone uses this information against us, chaos will overtake this realm. The second and forth platforms are the one you two will continue to report as the leads. Is that understood?" The two guards saluted and took off.
On the third platform, Hotaru removes his helmet and looks over to the kamidogu once more. He could still hear whispers coming from it. He looks outside of his window and sees numerous warriors arriving on his platform as well as the other platforms surrounding his own. He could already see the Guardsmen of other commanders going forward to deal with the invaders. Even the Justice brigade was seen departing the second platform, much to Hotaru's confusion. He knocks on his own door. Multiple guardsmen walked into the general's room—four to be exact, standing at attention. Hotaru walks back and forth across each of them.
"An agent of chaos has arrived. They've brought dozens of foreign invaders with them. We are under suspicion that the resistance may have someone hiding within our ranks right now. Whether it be man," he stops and glances toward the guard beside him, "or Woman." The guard lowers her head as he resumes walking. "We must find them and take them out immediately. Protect our citizens at all cost. More importantly," he points to the Kamidogu, "protect that with your lives!"
"Yes commander," they saluted. He stops by the female soldier once more as his communicator turns on.
"Would you mind taking a detour?" the voice said.
"Will do," Hotaru responded before cutting his comm system. He turns his attention to the woman. "Li Mei."
"Yes?" she said.
"You'll lead the defense of the fourth platform."
"Me?" she asked. "Would that be wise seeing as I'm—"
"An Outworlder?" he finished. She nodded as did the others. "Sun Do is under Seido's jurisdiction now. Or did you forget?"
"Yeah, but still…"
"Leave us men," Hotaru said. The other three guards nod and move out, "Don't forget to pass on what you were told."
"Yes sir," they responded, this time not as enthusiastically. As the door closed, Hotaru places his hands on Li Mei's shoulders.
"We believe one of the commanders sent to your realm is dead," Hotaru stated.
"Which one?" she asked.
"Not Dairou," he confirmed. "However, its not just that. We had twelve commanders, but only 6 of us remain now."
"Do you suspect that another commander is the traitor?" she asked. Hotaru nodded. He turns his head to the Kamidogu—as does Li Mei.
"You shouldn't have that in this room for too long. I've warned you about what it's done to Princess Kitana," she said.
"I believe it speaks to me. As if the Cleric of Chaos is talking through it."
"Ignore it, commander. You're speaking like some falling into chaos." Hotaru perks up and looks back at Li Mei. He sighs and nods."
"You're right," he said. "Thank you. You'll make a fine commander one day." Hotaru releases the girl. He puts on his helmet and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.
Li Mei walks toward the room's window, staring at the platform she was assigned to. It was just as it was in other districts, only being the fourth highest platform in the realm. Barely able to see any other areas below it, the guardsmen look more like ants running about in organized formations. She notices only a few soldiers roaming around her platform, much to Hotaru's request. But she found that she would not need much help. She was always a warrior. Independent and promising. Bo Rai Cho saw her as one of his top students, only falling behind the likes of Lui Kang and the Great Kung Lao.
Her new attire was more than enough for her. Specially tailored for an unofficial guardsman like her, she wore purple and silver armor. It left many parts of her body exposed, but that exposure was important for her more hit and run combat abilities. The helmet still took some getting use to as she preferred her skullcap much more. She also gained access to a Naginata as part of her arsenal. She found it to be a burden to her, but it was law that she kept it. Her training with the weapon was enough to get herself a permanent spot in the guard, but not enough for her to master it along side her other new abilities.
Li Mei prepares to depart, yet her eye catches onto a golden glint in the distance of the second platform above. She leans into the window, looking up. The figure, revealing herself to be Anomaly, was seen staring down at the girl. Li Mei's body trembles, yet she remains steadfast. She tightens the strap holding her Naginata close to her body.
I allowed you to live before, Li Mei said to herself. Today, I'll make sure you die.
Atop of the second platform, Anomaly glares at the young girl as well as the building she was in. Her fingertips bore dark red flames before she reached toward Hotaru's room.
"So they've indoctrinated you as well?" Anomaly questioned. "Eunomia knows no bounds. I should rid of the girl now before she becomes a real problem." Anomaly pulls her hand back as the intensity of the flames grow. The fire turns into rings now twirling around her fingers. As she swings down, the fire is extinguished.
"Now is that the right way to erase someone?" a voice soothed in her ear. Anomaly found herself unable to move. A elderly slender man in an all black suit and long wild white hair grabs the woman's hand and lowers it. "What are your intentions here?" he asks.
"Abacus?"
"Yes that is my name," the man responded. He releases her and walks to a nearby table he'd set up. Atop of it was a fully set chess board and a time clock. The man sits in one of three chairs there and opens his arm toward the other chair. Something compelled Anomaly to sit in the chair in front of him. "I was the winner of the first game my dear girl. Why don't you make the first move?" Anomaly nodded. She grabs one of her pawns and moves it forward by two spaces.
End of Chapter 8
This week was hectic for me as I was very sick. It was a lot worse than my usually sickness (which I believe was coming from me being burned out from work prior to even writing during those times). However, the release of this chapter without delay has proven to me that releasing chapters for this arc should be much easier than the previous arc as less work is required base on my current chapter summaries. Hopefully when I've fully recovered from my sickness, I'll be able to write enough to put me months ahead of where I current am an thus be able to release chapters without worry of any delays. Also, I know there were issues involving over the past few days and hopefully this won't affect you all's ability to read this latest chapter.
(Upcoming—True Colors)