Escape

Ashrah, Chan, and Onaga traversed the twelfth plane of the NetherRealm. They were not alone, however, as many Oni watched them from a distance. Chan observed their surroundings, expecting an ambush at any moment. His accomplices, however, were more relaxed. Onaga looked back at Chan, releasing a chuckle as the boy frantically looked around at the growing hoard. Ashrah slapped the back of Chan's shoulder as she walked pass him.

"Relax, Shaolin," she said, attempting to calm the boy.

"I assume you're the reason we haven't been overrun by these oni," he said, his heart rate slowing down. Ashrah nods.

"That's right," she said. "I was pretty popular in this realm."

"You still are," Onaga smirked. Ashrah mugged the Dragon King, slowing her movement to walk side by side with the Shaolin.

"I have a reputation for slaying demons. When my targets were regular demons and gargoyles, my life was placed in the hand of Bounty hunters. But when I took Trigon's Life, my list of enemies grew much shorter." Ashrah leaned toward Chan's shoulder, hiding her lips from the Dragon King. "Even he would grant me forgiveness. Though, he could be lying to make me feel better." She pulls away, hold her hands behind her back as she looked at the realm's blood red sky.

"Tesla had a strong sense of authority just like you," Chan chuckled. "She portrayed a high level of self-confidence no matter how dangerous her situation would be."

"Yeah, that sounds like her," Ashrah said softly as she smiled.

"My friend, Johnny, thought his fight against her would be unfair." Chan laughed. "He was a cocky one—still on a high from his victory against the Tarkatan. He gave her a free hit and she took it. Won her fight with one punch. I still remember how shaken I felt know we'd a match. I kinda laugh about it now."

"That is funny," Ashrah responded with a dry laugh. Her smile fell.

"Ashrah," he said. "The truth is...your sister was too far gone." Ashrah remained silent as she looked away from Chan. "I spoke with her after my match. Even when I thought our conversation could mend old wounds, it was as if she didn't about anything or anyone. You will learn the true power of light and darkness and no one will be able to save you. Those were her last words to me. If you didn't know by now, she killed—"

"I know who my sister is," Ashrah interrupted.

"Then why are you so different from your sister?" Chan questioned aloud. Ashrah stopped walking. Chan paused as well, lowering his face.

"You said nothing wrong," she told him. "I can see how you'd feel that way." She pulls her weapon from the sheath on her back. The weapon was wavy like a lightning strike. "I don't think I've told the name of this blade, did I?"

"You told me it just...appeared one day?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. "It is called a Kris. A weapon blessed with the power to purify one's soul by feeding it the blood of demons. The more powerful the demon, the more pure my soul becomes. I've felt more at peace with each kill. Yet, it also becomes harder."

"Why is that?" Chan asked. Ashrah stopped walking. Her eyes glistened as she puckered her lips.

"I don't want to kill anymore. I can't stand it. I thought about sparing your friends, but...when I saw you outside…" Ashrah puts her blade away. "I was like my sister before. That is no longer me."

"So you're looking for a big score to take you out of here?" Chan asked.

"Take US out of here," Onaga corrected. "We won't be look either. They'll be coming for you."

"So I'm the bait for demon," Chan questioned rhetorically. "Shujinko deserved better than this. Kitana…" he stopped himself, thinking about the fight he'd had against the girl a year ago.

"If it puts you at ease," Onaga stated, "this is not how I envisioned my plan. I assumed you at least held Seido's Kamidogu. Maybe even Chaos Realm's Kamidogu. Yet, you arrived empty handed."

"You said Eris would lead me here," Chan said.

"With the Chaos Realm's Kamidogu," Onaga clarified. "I heard your voice in Seido through the...Kamidogu Dagger."

"It's not a real Kamidogu," Chan said.

"They may be true, but its effects are connected to you somehow. And whatever happened in the realm of Chaos led you here."

"About—" Chan stopped himself, believing it best to not discuss his actions. "this plan of yours," he deflected, turning to Ashrah. "How many others are you after?"

"Just one," she said. "I have a have a list put together right now, but there's one name in particular that may save everyone here. We're after the ruler of this realm."

"That's why you have me," Onaga gloated. Ashrah nods.

"I made a deal with this guy to help get him out of this realm so long as he helps me slay the ruler of this realm," Ashrah explained.

"She would still have to deal the final blow," Onaga said, "And you would need to be in her presence. Otherwise, only she would depart from this realm, while the rest of us are trapped here for eternity."

"This plan," Chan wondered, "how do you know it'll work?"

"The Kris told me," Ashrah said.

"The...sword?" Chan asked.

"You're living in hell yet questioning the voice of my Kris?" Ashrah joked. Chan scratched his head.

"How many people have done what you're trying to do?" Chan asked. Ashrah's smile faded. Onaga gave a hearty laugh.

"No one," she murmured.

"So it might not work at all."

"If it doesn't work," Onaga said, "there is still one last plan. One none of us, not even the Elder Lords, would desire." Ashrah nods and continues walking. The others followed behind her.

"Shinnok won't be as easy to fight as Oni were," Chan said.

"We know," Ashrah responded. Onaga laughed.

"Why do you always laugh?" Chan asked. Onaga laughed again.

"You know so much, yet understand so little," Onaga replied. "Shinnok hasn't ruled this realm for years."

"That's impossible," Chan said. "Shinnok's still alive. I've heard the Oni say he still lives."

"Shinnok is not our target, you fool," he said.

"Who is?" Chan asked.

"Lucifer's Son, Belokk." Ashrah stops in her tracks, staring at the individuals standing before them.

End of Chapter 33

Quick Author's note on the future chapter releases of this story. There are three chapters left in this arc and it should be completed before the month ends. However, I won't be able to pump chapters out as fast as before because I've gotten a promotion at my job. With this promotion comes less time to actually write this story. This rings especially true right now as I won't have an off day for a long period of time. Having some scenes already pre-writen will help get the next few chapters out every friday, but that leads to semi-bad news for the next arc.

I planned to finish the final arc before the end of 2023, but I don't see that happening without severely rushing the story or getting severe burnout over time. So I've made the decision to only produce 5-7 chapters of the final arc between November and December while producing the remaining chapters next year in 2024. I chose 5-7 as these allow me to have two separate cliffhanger spots to hold everyone off. Plus, these chapters will be significantly larger than other chapters in this story, especially chapters 38-40. I apologize for the slower release.

(Upcoming—The Devil's Advocate)