Nexus
Ashrah wailed as she held her sister in her arms. Her face was buried in the woman's chest. Chan, Shelia, Hydro, Onaga, and the others watched in silence. A bright light shined from above, catching everyone's attention. Chan could only think of the event where the realm of Chaos was swallowed by black holes. The light pulled the warriors from the surface. Ashrah reached for her Kris but was too far away to grab a hold of it. Shelia and the other Lin Kuei warriors felt uneasy by the ascension toward the portal. They weren't the only ones in the realm being ascended as numerous entities across the NetherRealm would also rise toward the portal. Chan watched the mass exodus occurring around him as he ascended. He looked down, seeing that Onaga's soul remained on the surface.
"Why didn't it work?" Chan asked him.
"Someone or something is keeping me trapped here!" Onaga hollered.
"What about our deal?" he asked.
"When the field rises, we shall fight Anomaly together!"
"What?" Chan questioned. But it was too late for the words to leave his mouth as his soul immediately slammed to the surface. Though not hurt, he was still shaken by the event, unable to process what was happening now. He arose from the ground, observing the place. He saw numerous pillars of fires surrounding the area. Several relics similar to the Kamidogu littered the realm. Chan could recognize none of them, though they had designs and shapes similar to the real Kamidogu. The Shaolin touched one and attempted to speak through it.
"Who...are you?" a voice responded. Chan immediately moved away. He observed the others, before stumbling upon a door of light. It hadn't been there when he arrived. It was clear someone wanted him to open it. He did as much, not knowing what he wanted to expect on the other side.
As the door shut, he found himself in a similar hub, though much brighter. Numerous dragon-like figures roamed the area before landing on the ground. As they curled around themselves, new bipedal figures would emerge from them. Five divine individuals stood before the boy. Among them, a burly, gray-skinned man with a white, starfish shaped beard and numerous glowing tattoos. A feminine individual dressed in full body armor and a white cloak stood next to him. She looked like a Saurian based on the shape of the helmet she wore. Another woman, violet skin and leafy green attire. Chan recognized her best through his discussions with Raiden about one particular Elder Lord: Cetrion. The third woman was of a more darker complexion with short white hair, hooped earrings, and sleeveless, red body armor. The final was a red-skinned man dressed in full golden armor and a crown similar to the one Shinnok use to wear. Chan's lips stretched as he stood alone before Elder Lords. He'd always imagined what a day would look like. Looking forward to their presence in death twice only raised his anticipation throughout the years.
"By the Elder Lords," he said cheerfully, still in a bit of a daze.
"That we are, Chan Kang." Cetrion greeted. "We are the Elder Lords. And I am Cetrion."
"Raiden talked about you once, but…," Chan directed his finger toward each of the others, "he hasn't talked about the rest of you much."
"Cetrion always sought to engage with you mortals more often than we did," the Red Skinned man, Junas, said. "We have summoned you personally, Chan Kang."
"Why me?" He asked. "What makes me so important for stopping Anomaly?"
"Because like her," The Saurian-Like woman pointed to Chan, "you are an anomaly to this world."
"What does that even mean?" he asked.
"As Anguine said," the Burley man responded, "Chan Kang should not exist. In every other side of the realms, Lui Kang's brother is Chun Kang, who has always perished before Lui Kang fought in the Tenth Tournament. Just as Goro was always Outworld's Champion during that tournament, not Reptile. If he never took Anomaly's life, he would have never been recognized as a champion."
"Anomaly changed the Realms in ways that have gone beyond our control," the dark skinned woman, Inerva, said. "And in doing so, she caused you to be born instead of Chun. You are the only mortal she cannot manipulate nor plan against."
"I'm not the only one," Chan said, as he stared at the woman dumbfounded.
"We are aware," another emergent entity said. Chan clenched his fist, conjuring a flare inside.
"Put that away!" Cetrion demanded. "He's with us."
"Worry not," Shinnok said, standing proudly before the boy, not staring in his eyes. "It is normal for a mortal to feel fear and anger toward their former adversaries."
"What the hell are you all thinking?" Chan shouts.
"Shinnok was an Elder Lord just like us," Junas said. "His reinstatement for the status of Elder Lord has not been taken lightly."
"Did you forget what he did to you all?" Chan questioned.
"The Elder Gods hold no grudges," Anguine said.
"We have a theory on how we can stop Anomaly's victory using her Rule of Variables against her," the Burley man said. "We know that Anomaly's creation of her Persona, Eva, has thrown off the balance of the realms due to her soul being in two places at once."
"However," Cetrion said, "we didn't understand this anomaly occurring until almost two years ago in which the anomaly suddenly vanished months later."
"That wasn't—" Chan began, but decided it was best to remain silent.
"With Shinnok now part of us, we've added our own variable to the fight. One she cannot prepare for." Cetrion smiled as she reunited with her brother.
"This man tried to take Earthrealm twice over a decade and a half ago. Several hundred people died because of him and his cult. They plotted against you all. They killed Lord Raiden. They killed my brother!"
"And how does this differ from you aligning yourself with the Dragon King?" Junas questioned. "Has he not manipulated Shujinko into collecting the Kamidogu to unleash the One Being?"
"The Elder Lords are supposed to protect the realms, not me," Chan resented. "You could prevent such a konquest at any time, yet you all continue to stand idly by as the One Being corrupts the hearts of Mortals. You even said it yourself, Cetrion engaged in mortal affairs more than the rest of you. And where has that led us?" Chan covers his face with the palm of his hand. "I see it now," he mutters. "The truth Anomaly had been talking about all this time. You all don't care about us. You only care about your own self-interests."
"Our interest is to protect—"
"I reject it!" Chan snaps, swatting Cetrion away. The woman frowned. "I won't fight for you any longer."
"If you do this, we cannot protect you in the war to come," Inerva said. "It would be as if you were our enemy."
"Then take my life where I stand," he said. The Elder Lords remained, only delivering quick glances toward one another. Chan smiled. "You can't, can you? Or more like, you won't." They continued to remain silent. "I've gotten the answer I needed." The shaolin opens a portal on the floor behind himself and falls backwards. As the portal shuts, Junas grits his teeth.
"This was a grave mistake," the Burley lord muttered.
"No," Shinnok objected. "This may have saved us all."
"It's dying!" Kitana shouts as she stares at the barren wastelands of Edenia. The trees were shriveled. The withered plants that once decorated the fields danced along the ground. Even the soil was tainted with darkness. Qali held onto Kitana's left arm, shaking with fear herself.
"Queen Kitana, I don't know what to say," she said.
"Is this the result of unmerging the realm from Outworld?"
"Outworld's magic kept the realm intact for so long. If we don't find a way to replace it soon, this may spread to the rest of the realm as well."
"I can't believe this is happening today of all days," she muttered to herself. "Summon a meeting with the others and...invite Rain."
"Are you sure?" Qali asked. Kitana nods. Qali acknowledges the request and leaves immediately. Kitana opens her fan to cover her face as she collected her thoughts. She knew of the prophesy and where the final battle would occur. But she never expected it to happen so quickly. Not when Anomaly's conquest has yet to be completed. She saw as the taint slowly grew, immediately taking a few steps back.
"Mother," she whispered to herself. "What are we to do about this?"
Hours passed as she met with Rain in the council room. Many of Edenia's Elders and diplomats bickered against one another as they sought who was to blame for the plague. Solutions were given, but none were accepted. Qali frowned as she saw the constant twitch in Kitana's fingers. She guides her eyes toward Rain, not turning her head to avoid making it obvious. She noticed him staring off as if he left the discussion long ago. Not even Tanya noticed his strange behavior. Qali stood from her chair and cleared her throat.
"Silence," she yelled out. Though some of them stopped talking, there were still others in the heat of their arguments. "Silence!" she yelled louder. This time, the others would hold their tongues as well, though visibly prepared to rebut the woman's next words. "This constant bickering is NOT bringing forth a solution for our situation."
"Then what would you suggest?" one of the councilors mocked. Qali sucked her lips in. She turned to Kitana, nodding.
"Do you find it funny to mock my Servant?" Kitana questioned. She locked her eyes into the man's. An uncomfortable air possessed the room as all eyes were on the man. Tanya smiled, remembering the last time someone tested Kitana's patience during a meeting. The man raised his right hand and slumped back. Kitana huffed. "Rain, I would like to request that we put this election of ours on a temporary hold."
"The election is today," Rain said. "Some of the people have already voted. What would they say hearing this?"
"I know," she said. "But this issue is far more important. There won't be an Edenia left to rule if this problem isn't resolved."
"There is a way to resolve the matter," he says. "One you surely won't take."
"You know why we can't," she says. "We all know."
"We can't yet, but I have an idea on how to solve our matters." Rain stands up and strolls along the room. "As you all now know, I am the son of Argus. Through him, I also have two half-brothers: Daegon and Taven. Daegon's life is relatively unknown to me as his tomb had been opened centuries ago. However, I was able to find my brother Taven still sleeping in his tomb. Before we could do anything, he'd awaken from his slumber as Armageddon had officially commence as his mother prophesied."
"When did this event happen?" one councilor asked.
"Before the election was ever announced," Rain confirmed. Kitana jumped from her chair, slamming her palms on the table before her.
"You knew about this?" Kitana shouted.
"I did not expect the results to occur here," Rain grunted. "I kept his presence a secret with the intention of revealing him today. However, I don't know where he is anymore."
"And now you want me to send a search party for him?" Kitana sighed as she plumped back in her chair. The others in the room muttered to one another.
"Without him, everything we do will be for nothing. If we are to protect our realm from the forces of light and darkness, we must have the true Son of Argus on our side."
On the third plane of the NetherRealm, Kuai Liang and Hanzo setup their camp alone as they continue to maintain contact with Shelia through Kuai Liang's communicator. Sounds of kombat and destruction drowned out Shelia's voice.
"Who is it?" Kuai Liang exclaimed.
"They call themselves the Tekunin," Shelia said. With the inconsistencies in her volume, they could only assume she was engaging with the enemy as they spoke.
"I have never heard of them," Scorpion said. With a zap and crackle, Shelia is heard breathing heavily into her comm.
"You have, but not by that name. They're cyborgs."
"Sektor," Kuai Liang growled.
"If they are threatening our clans, that would mean the Elder Lords have betrayed us after all," Hanzo concluded.
"Or they've made a deal similar to what Quan Chi made with our clans in the past," Kuai added. "Either way, it seems we're trapped in this realm until someone else can find us a way out."
"Our way out will come soon," a voice boomed. The two warriors quickly rose up, ready to take on the man. A glowing orb appeared beside the men.
"What is this?" Hanzo questioned.
"I am the Dragon King, Onaga," he said. "Before we can leave this realm, we must slay its ruler."
"We have a common enemy, but that does not make you a common ally," Kuai said. "Why should we help you?"
"We must forge the path for the Shaolin. Belokk poses a threat to our plans. He must be slain before we meet Chan once again."
"Chan?" Scorpion reminisced. "How do you know that name?"
"He was here," Subzero said. "Which means our friend here is somewhere in this realm as well. I'm assuming Chan had something to do with our allies' disappearance?"
"Another of my allies, Ashrah, used her power to purify the souls of many in this realm, causing them to ascend back to where they were prior to arriving here."
"It seems I've missed the reunion," Scorpion said. "Was Tesla there as well?"
"She was slain by Ashrah. Her death was necessary for her ritual to work."
"I...see," Scorpion said.
"If we slay Lucifer's boy, how does that help us escape?"
"Unfortunately, that is where we must stake our faith on Chan."
"Finish him!" roared the emperor. Thousands of voices repeated his command throughout the coliseum as they watched the frail warrior grip his pickaxe. His opponent struggled to raise his hands in surrender. It meant nothing, however, as the warrior swiftly dug the weapon into his opponent's heart. Though his opponent flinched, he was sure that the man died on contact. The crowd cheered for the warrior. Some, handing over their pouches of koin to those they've bet against.
"Hotaru wins. FATALITY!" Kotal announces. Hotaru mugs the emperor, only to turn away as D'Vorah shook her head. He is escorted from the coliseum while some of Earthrealm's coroners carried the body away. Ferra looks at the woman and child she could faintly hear crying among the crowd.
"We should discuss Edenia's separation, Ko'otal," D'Vorah said.
"Earthrealm's merger was more than enough to replace Edenia's energies," Kotal said.
"They betrayed the realm behind your back," D'Vorah growled.
"We have nothing to fear as long as Kitana is kept at bay," Kotal says.
"On that, this one agrees," D'Vorah says. She hands the emperor an envelope with Edenia's stamp marked on it.
"Where did you—"
"Qali sends her regards," D'Vorah said, smiling. "It seems Kitana is not our biggest concern."
"Death!" the crowd of vampires shouted. In the center of them all stood Lui Kang and Kung Lao, naked and shackled along a post. The vampires hissed and muttered as they awaited Ciero's sentencing. The young vampire pricked the faces of the two Shaolin with her finger nails before tasting their blood.
"Our people use to idolize you Earthrealmers after your first victory against Outworld. We saw you as allies. Many times your kind attacked us, yet we forgave you over and over. Now you would Betray us in a time where we would finally be freed?"
"I don't know what you're speaking of," Lui Kang said.
"Don't waste your breath. They've already made up their minds," Kung Lao remarked.
"He's right," Ciero said. "Raja pled for your lives, but we cannot let the demands of many be decided by the voice of one. Therefore, we will sentence you both—" A flash of light trailed through two of the vampires. Their bodies split apart as Ashrah emerged.
"What?" one of the vampires shouted.
"I won't let you demons take them," Ashrah proclaimed. She swings her blade across the woman's neck. As her head separated from the rest of her body, the others scuried in different directions. Many pointed toward the blade in the woman's hand, even calling her the real demon. Few shouted the word Datusha. Ashrah ignored their voices as she continued to fend off those who remained.
"Don't fight back, you fools!" Ciero fussed. "That blade is enchanted!"
"That is why we must take it from her," one of the men said. He darts towards the woman, who remained still. As he saw Ashrah swing her blade, he quickly moved aside. From behind, he swipes at her shoulder, marking her and chanting in his ancient tongue. A brand appears on the woman's shoulder, though with the snap of her finger, it disappears. The stunned vampire loses his sight as Ashrah digs her fingers into his sockets. Light from his fingers drains all live from his before being used to fire javalins of light toward the other vampires. Those who survived her onslaught joined the others in running away. Ciero cries, observing the deaths of her people. She flies off, leaving the two Shaolin and oni slayer to themselves.
"This realm. Why did you bring me back here?" Ashrah asked her Kris.
"Is she talking to her sword?" Kung Lao questioned.
"Kenshi does," Lui Kang responded. Kung Lao chuckles. Ashrah snaps out of it and turns to the Shaolin. She uses her blade to set them free from their shackles.
"Sorry about that," she says before looking away, embarrassed. The two shaolin scrambled to take the clothes from two of the bodies. As they finished dressing up, Kung Lao clears his throat. Ashrah cautiously turns toward them.
"We appreciate what you have done for us," Lui Kang praised, "but why are you here?"
"The Kris drew me here. I'd been looking for warriors of light to help the Elder Lords in the war to come."
"War?" Lui Kang questioned.
"Wait, this realm was already at war with the resurrected," Kung Lao said. "How far is Anomaly's reach?"
"Anomaly isn't the only opposing force," Ashrah said.
"Queen Sheeva!" a raspy voice called. Sheeva smiles in her bed, holding onto her newborn child.
"Baraka," she greets, "how grateful I am to see you alive to witness the miracle my people have dreamed of for so long."
"I'm the one who should be grateful," the stitched up Tarkatan said as he bowed. "How I've returned is nothing short of a miracle in itself."
"How is it that you're not under Anomaly's control?" Goro asked, standing beside Sheeva.
"When I returned, I heard her voice call for assistance. Yet, her essence no longer resides in me. I haven't heard it in over a month."
"Are you going to be a threat to us in the future?" Kintaro asked.
"The three of you risked the extinction of your own race to bring me here," he said graciously. "If you ever see a change in my behavior, I ask that one of you take me back to my slumber."
Jacqueline, Jin, and Takeda stood around Cassandra's bedside while she enjoyed her stew. She was among many Earthrealm and Seidan citizens being treated at Outworld's Refugee medical camp, established during the first year of Kotal Kahn's rule. Unfortunately, the treatment center was understaffed and lacked the size needed to care for not one, but two other realms. Many discussions were had about using Outworld's primary hospitals for treatment of the refugees, but fears of revenge from both realms ended such an idea.
"I love you guys so much," Cassie wept as she wiped her mouth. "I just can't stop crying."
"It's ok," Jacqui comforted as her voice curdled. "We're gonna be fine."
"Are you sure it wasn't another nightmare?" Jin asked.
"No," Cassie said. I escaped the nightmare and arrived in a realm ruled by a man named Havik. Anomaly was there too. And this girl shattered a Kamidogu. I remember it all. The feeling. The sounds. The smell." She dried her eyes and stared into Takeda's. "Can't you see it in my mind?"
"I can't enter your mind anymore," Takeda said. Cassie frowned.
"Jin isn't saying that you're lying," Jacqui reassured her. "He's stumped by this too, you know?"
"Don't push your negativity on me," his voice trembled.
"This fighting won't bring him back, Jin," Takeda said.
"Neither will crying about it," he retorted, pressing his index finger against Takeda's shoulder. Takeda leaned toward the boy, only to be barricaded by Jacqui.
"Relax you two," Jacqui said. "Lets all just sit and relax." The boys scoffed toward one another before plopping down in their seats. Jacqui slid atop of the bed as Cassie scooted over to make room. She held onto Cassie, as the girl buried her face into Jacqui's shoulder. After many minutes of silence, Jin groans in frustration.
"When are we going to tell her?" Jin asked.
"Tell me what?" she wondered.
"It's too soon," Takeda says.
"Better too soon than too late," Jin said. Jacqui stares daggers in the boys eyes, but he resists. "Our families are in heaven right now."
"Are you serious right now?" Cassie yelled with a high pitch.
"No, I mean they're alive, Cassie!" He clarifies. The girl had a dumbfounded look on her face as she stared at the boy. "Jacqui, establish the connection."
"But—"
"Do it," Takeda conceded. "She deserves to know." Jacqui raises up along with Cassie.
"Fine." Jacqui pulls out her cell phone and dials her father's number. They waited as the phone rung. Suddenly, Jax could be heard speaking through the phone.
In another medical facility, Li Mei lied in bed, still recovering from her injuries from the attack on Seido. Chan placed his hand atop of hers, prompting her to look up. The shaolin sat at her bedside, looking around the windowless, white room.
"You came to see me?" Li Mei asked.
"Of course," Chan said. "you're my friend."
"Our other friends are probably in worse shape than I am," she said.
"I haven't seen you since we fought Shao Kahn. I thought you died in Seido."
"Apparently a lot happened while I was away." Chan nods and gives her a lengthy explanation of everything that occurred so far. The girl seemed numb to it all, though particularly intrigued by the story.
"Have you heard about Earthrealm?" she asked. Chan sunk his lips in his mouth. Li Mei flinched as his gripped tightened so suddenly.
"Is it true," he whispered. "Are Kira and Kobra…" Chan closed his eyes, seemingly praying. Li Mei leaned her head down.
"I'm sorry," she said gently. Chan released her hand and fell on his bottom. The room turned red, spinning around them. Li Mei covered her ears as Chan hollered. After some time, silence took over the room. Chan was deep in thought as he stared into the white light above.
"What are you going to do? Without the remaining Kamidogu…"
"The Elder Lords are preparing for war," Chan interrupted. Li Mei straightened up a bit, wincing at the pain in her shoulder.
"The Elder Lords?" she asked.
"I met with them recently," he revealed. "They're frightened. They reinstated Shinnok as an Elder Lord to kombat Anomaly."
"They what?" Li Mei launched forward, before groaning in pain.
"I want...no, I need to tell you this," Chan says softly.
"What's wrong?" Chan monologues to Li Mei. The girl closes her eyes, clenching her fist and teeth. She stared at the shaolin's lips observing every word coming from him. The girl throws her pillow at the boy.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Li Mei cursed. "Why would you tell me that?"
"You need to make a decision," he says in a low tone.
"What you just said makes you my enemy," she told him. "I could report you to Kotal or Kitana for treason."
"After everything you've been through, you would still fight for them?"
"You know I can't support you. It would...it would go against who I am. I would be a fool to let you do this."
"You are a fool for following those who've turned against you." Chan storms from the room.
"Get back here!" Li Mei yells as she reaches toward the boy from her bed. Her reach stretched too far and she fell to the floor. She yelps and groans in pain, still watching the curtains close behind the Shaolin. "Chan!" The boy didn't respond. "Chan! Don't go." Silence fell on the room once more as the girl sobbed.
End of Chapter 36
I did not expect this chapter to take as long as it did, but this is the end of the NetherRealm Arc. As stated before, the next four chapters to launch the final arc are going to be much larger than anything I've written before, which is why chapters 38-40 are pretty much a three-part chapter titled "The War of Light and Darkness." I originally intended to release the next 4 chapters this month, but obviously that won't happen anymore. Now the new plan is to release chapter 37 later this month and begin releasing chapters 38-40 in March. I'll end this note by officially labeling this final part as the "Heaven Arc."
(Upcoming—A Place for Us)