Chapter 13: The Next Step
Things are starting to become worse for the heroes. They meet someone long forgotten named Taven. A demigod born in Edenia alongside his family and had an evil brother. A brother named Daegon, who betrayed them and tried to start a war, which ended in his defeat and their mother's death. Now fully awake, Taven has warned Fire God Liu Kang, as well as King Jerrod and Queen Sindel about Daegon's plan to unite the six Kamidogu and the return of Shao Kahn. And above all, Taven is introduced to everyone.
"I must say, I am surprised that Edenia and Outworld have allied with Earthrealm. I am Taven. Son of Argus and Delia. Agents sent by the Elder Gods." Taven introduced himself.
"I'm Cassie Cage. General of the Special Forces. Earthrealm's Military." The new general introduced herself. "This is my husband and demigod, Alex Cage. And my two children Anthony and Flora."
"A pleasure to meet you all." Taven said. And I am aware of the existence of the White Lotus and the clans."
Taven was quick to notice the robes of the Lin Kuei and the Shirai Ryu and introduces himself to the respective masters. Then he notices another god among the monks.
"I am Fujin. God of the Wind. It is an honor to meet a new, friendly face. It has been a long time." Fujin said.
"I do not recognize you, but you must be associated with Lord Liu Kang. It is uncommon to have more than one god among us, Lord Fujin."
While Liu Kang goes to consult with the Elder Gods for advice, Sindel plans to call the other heroes about what they learned. Meanwhile, the Monks have finished explaining everything to the Lin Kuei.
Frost and the others process the news as much as they could. They listened with every detail that Kung Lao, Jin, and Gen have explained based on what Takeda and Jacqui learned from their mission and based on the history they all learned. "So our enemies are after the Kamidogu. Just like the last timeline."
"That must have been after Shao Kahn was killed at the hands of Raiden when he tried to merge the realms into one." Cyrax said.
"Yes. Quan Chi himself told me and the other revenants about those when I was one of them. He manipulated Reiko and someone named Havik into using them so he could free Shinnok, but was taken by the Special Forces." Smoke recalled.
"But how powerful can these daggers be besides making someone stronger?" Aster asked.
"There is a consequence for doing so. It will drain a user of his or her strength. It can even make the person obsessed with its power to where they would forget themselves." Frost said.
"But the question is who wants the Kamidogu? And why do they need them for?" Kung Jin asked. As Jin asked that, they both get a call from Sindel.
"That answers your question." Kung Lao said before answering. "Queen Sindel. What troubles you to this day?"
"Trouble that all of us face. I must speak with both of you, as well as the Shirai Ryu and the Special Forces." Sindel replied.
As promised, Sindel has called the clans and the Special Forces and Monks as well as Outworld. She informs them what they discovered in Edenia, being Taven awakening from slumber, and explaining his backstory and revealing that Daegon is his brother, alive and well and so is Shao Kahn.
"So Daegon is alive? So is Shao Kahn?! But me and my dad both killed Daegon. Hanzo and Jin were both there as witnesses." Takeda said.
"Unless you never did. Chances are he may have made a clone of himself. Didn't you guys mention that he also created Dogron as a son?" Alex asked, remembering their adventure.
"Yeah. He explained everything to us. Months before we got married in the New Era. That has to be the only explanation, he must have faked his death." Jacqui replied.
"Not to mention Shao Kahn. That asshole died twice. I was there when Shang Tsung betrayed him. I should've known he had a backup body. But the question is how did he come back this time? I split Quan Chi in half and Alex blasted Shang Tsung to fucking pieces." Cassie said.
"Shao Kahn may be a foolish arrogant bastard, but he is clever. He has always planned for backup plans. Chances are Daegon may have had powerful sorcerers that are trained in the ways of dark magic like Shang Tsung and Quan Chi." Sindel said.
"But the question is who?" Jacqui asked.
"So he also cheated death. Because he must have had bigger plans alongside being with his son." Cassie guessed.
"But what can we do?" Anthony asked, feeling nervous.
"Shao Kahn already has the Kamidogu from the Netherrealm as we speak. He may try to search one of the other realms for all we know." Kitana reminds everyone.
"It is best that we prepare for the possible worst in case he or the Red Dragon attacks. But we do not know if they are aware of the other daggers are in Outworld, Earthrealm, or Edenia. Given that Shao Kahn has powerful magic users now, he may start anywhere." Jade said.
"According to Taven, his father predicted that Shao Kahn or Daegon will head to Chaosrealm. It is about as deadly as the Netherrealm." Sindel said to them.
"What about Orderrealm?" Frost asked.
"I am not sure. We need to find out more about them." Sindel said.
"Actually, there is a way we can help." Alex said, getting everyone's attention. "When I was hacking the Black Dragon's files, I found something rather interesting. There have been reports and plans about two of the newer recruits of the Black Dragon. They go by the name Darrius and Dairou. There have been entries recorded by Mateo, with them going on and on about liberating a place called Seido."
"Seido. That is the capital of Orderrealm." Kitana replied to Alex.
As everyone looked at each other and begun to think Alex may be on to something, Anthony steps up. "It makes sense. Maybe because they are from Orderrealm. Something must have caused them to hate their own or something." Anthony points out.
"Of course." Kitana supports Anthony. "They must be Seidans. They are raised and live in Orderrealm. But there must be an explanation of why would two individual Seidans would want to liberate their own home."
"Do you think it could be possible that they could also find that realm's Kamidogu while they are there? But at the same time, I am not sure if it is a good idea for one of us to even go there." Flora stated.
"We should probably send someone there. Someone experienced with Orderrealm." Cassie said.
"I can go. I've studied negotiations and peacemaking. Send me there, grandmaster." Aster asks Frost.
"No. I need all the members here. We need to keep our own eyes out on any signs of the Red Dragon or Shao Kahn near our temple." Frost said.
"I can try asking my husband. He is most familiar with the realm. Jerrod knows about dictatorships and peacemaking. Orderrealm is not one who would immediately jump into action like Chaosrealm." Sindel offered.
"Mother. You know going to Orderrealm has its risks. They may not even allow us to take their Kamidogu." Kitana reminds her mother.
"Why? Are they not your friends?" Alex asked.
"No. But they are not necessarily our enemies either." Kitana answered. "There have been differences between them and Edenia in terms of politics and how we decide for our own people."
"I know what you mean, my daughter. But we also cannot risk it being attacked by our enemies. And given its relationship with Edenia because of different views on law enforcement, it will not be easy. But Edenia is the most peaceful. Besides, they oppose Outworld given Shao Kahn's actions. They are not so forgiving. We cannot allow Daegon and Shao Kahn to form an alliance with them." Sindel points out.
"We need to find out why Darrius and Dairou want to liberate Orderrealm. We should have more deets on the Black Dragon by now." Jacqui said.
"I know where they are going. I read Kobra's mind while me and Alex were fighting him. Darrius and Dairou are separating from the group to hide in their own base. Mateo and the others went across the country in Earthrealm where the Special Forces are at. I'm gonna send you guys the coordinates to the Black Dragon." Takeda said.
"That leaves us and the two brothers. We need to try to capture at least one of them. Vera and Satoshi will want to hear about this." Jacqui said.
"Agreed. I will inform you all of what else we may discover." Frost said as she, the Shirai Ryu and Kung Lao sign out, leaving just the Cage family, Sindel and Kitana.
"Where is Liu Kang now?" Cassie asked.
"He went to consult with the Elder Gods. Something strange has been going on with him. He is hoping to find answers from them regarding the Kamidogu and what they can unlock." Sindel explained.
"Kitana. Do you know where the dagger is? From Outworld?" Alex asked.
"Yes. Baraka and his tarkatans discovered it several years ago. They and Erron Black are on the lookout just in case after what we discovered. I must inform our children about what is going on." Kitana said.
"Kitana, wait. You too, Alex." Sindel called to her.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"You two remember how the three of us used the Kamidogu after taking back Edenia and the situation with Geras?" Sindel asked.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" Kitana asked.
"If I am right, if we were able to use its powers to meditate, perhaps we can also use them to summon the Kamidogu daggers. It must be true." Sindel said. Alex and Kitana both look at each other, sharing the same look. They seem to think it's a good idea.
"We can try that. Besides, I'm the only one here that knows where Earthrealm's Kamidogu is. It'll take more than a while for anyone else to figure it out." Alex said.
"Good luck on your mission, Alex and Cassandra." Sindel smiles and bows her head before she and Kitana both sign out. Alex and Cassie then turn to the twins.
"You heard the Kahn and Queen. We must move out immediately. We need to capture the Black Dragon and make sure they don't try to find it first. Both of you find Kabal and our troops and prepare. Pronto." Cassie ordered them. They salute and leave, leaving the couple alone.
"Never thought I would have to use those things again. One thing I never got to understand is how I was able to use them so easily." Alex said. Cassie grabs his hand and holds it firmly.
"Maybe because it sensed your spirit and how far you've come. A badass demigod who grew to be the best person I've met. You said you saw your own memories, showing how much you cared for everyone, including me. You have an easier experience than I have. I knew you'd be the best of us." Cassie smiles.
"Just like old times?" Alex asked, which leads to Cassie cupping his face and kissing him.
"Just like old times, sweetheart." Cassie winks as they hold hands and go catch up to their children.
Beyond the skies, beyond the realms are where the Elder Gods are in their rightful place in peace as they watch the realms. They guide the protectors of the realms. Out of nowhere, Liu Kang appears before them.
"Elder Gods. I come to seek your counsel. All of the realms are in grave danger. I need answers about the Kamidogu and the role they share together." Liu Kang tells them.
The Elder Gods speak as one, including the newly reformed Cetrion. "Indeed, Liu Kang. The danger is indeed real. The Kamidogu play an important role in the crisis yet to come. They are the keys to an unfortunate creation. One that cannot be destroyed. This being goes by a name. His name….. Is Blaze."
"Blaze? I have never heard of such a name." Liu Kang expresses confusion.
"Blaze is a fire elemental being that was created by our late agent's wife Delia. Delia helped us create him to oversee all fighters for future tournaments. To see who is worthy to face him." The Elder Gods speak as they show him an image of him. He looks like a giant, muscular humanoid being completely surrounded in fire. "However, we have realized that he was growing too powerful, as he grew stronger each time he killed someone to the point of where he could possibly destroy the universe. And that includes us Elder Gods. So he was sealed away."
Liu Kang was startled by the revelation of this 'Blaze'. But he still couldn't help but wonder how Blaze could be used as a living weapon of mass destruction. But something else was on his mind.
"Speak your mind, Liu Kang. You can be honest with us." Cetrion speaks to him.
"Ever since my friends have warned us about the Kamidogu, I have been hearing Raiden's voice. I do not understand how this is happening. He died at Shao Kahn's hands. How is it that he continues speaking to me?" Liu Kang asked.
"Because Raiden's spirit has carried on into your amulet that he transferred to you before he lost his life. He has always been there for you, even in death. His voice will come out to guide you whenever the realms are in deep crisis, such as now." Cetrion explains.
"I understand, Cetrion. But what about Blaze? What is his location?" Liu Kang asked.
"Argus disagreed with Delia's plan to create Blaze, so we assisted him in creating the Pyramid of Argus, which resides in Edenia. The Kamidogu daggers were used to seal him away to prevent him from escaping. Chances of him escaping by normal means is impossible. The Kamidogu are the keys to his freedom. If anyone were to kill him in Mortal Kombat, that host would surge in power, and start the unthinkable known as Armageddon." Cetrion said.
"And if that host were to start Armageddon, nothing can stop them. Not even me, Alex, or even you Elder Gods." Liu Kang fears. "That host would be invincible for eternity. And not only that, with Blaze combined with the Kamidogu-"
"Would be free to rewrite reality as they wish with a single thought." Cetrion finished. "However, there is a way to stop Blaze should he break free, Liu Kang. Listen carefully." Liu Kang looks at her, wondering what she has planned for him. Anything to avoid such a horrible thing that would bring an end to the entire universe.
Note: The stakes have now gone up. Blaze, the fire deity is the villain's goals. The Kamidogu are they keys to his escape. Literally. Here, Liu Kang is one of the main heroes of this story. One goal I have for this story is that Taven will be one of them and have plenty of character buildup. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.