Chapter 15: Darrius and Dairou
In the Netherrealm, Shao Kahn and Daegon continue to walk together through the castle, conversing with each other about making future plans. Shao Kahn smirks while looking at the Netherrealm Kamidogu dagger in his hand. Daegon just received word from one of his warriors that Darrius and Dairou have been captured. "I am not happy about this. Because of your incompetence, I lost two of my best warriors to the Shirai Ryu filth. Return to me and we will devise a new plan. And we shall discuss your punishment." Daegon glares at him, who cowers in fear before signing off. He then turns to Shao Kahn.
"Such power. For all the years they have laid dormant, their magic is beyond unbelievable." Shao Kahn said.
"Yes. If I remember correctly, they once made the One Being. The all powerful being known as Blaze."
"Blaze? That name. It sounds familiar to my ears. Word has it that the Elder Gods have sealed him away, deemed too big of a threat to the entire universe. Quite foolish of them. Mere worms as they always have been." Shao Kahn stated, snarling at how the Elder Gods are considered weak.
"Indeed they are. My mother Delia was wise to create such a being. But the Elder Gods thought she was wrong. Such power. Not even the Elder Gods can match his power on one's own." Daegon said.
"The legends say that if one were to kill him. That host will gain his power. The host will double in everything. Their venom will spread, and bring the end of all things. Not even the Elder Gods can stop that host from becoming that powerful. I see why you want to find all six daggers." Shao Kahn looks at him and realizes.
"Yes. The six daggers act as keys to his sealment. Once they unlock him from his sleep, Blaze will reawaken and wants to face anyone who challenge him. But we need more than that in order to complete our ultimate objective." Daegon tells him.
"And what would that be?" Shao Kahn said.
"Jinsei. The life source of Earthrealm. They are a reliable source." Daegon said.
"Yes. Because Kronika required a lot of it to try to start the New Era her way. It makes sense. In fact, there is one place I know where to find some." Shao Kahn said. "The Sky Temple." Daegon laughs.
"I knew you would say that. That is why I am sending Mavado there soon to recover as many as possible. Fortunately, the Jinsei at the Sky Temple is infinite. No need for any unwanted consequences." Daegon said.
"We cannot allow the heroes to stop us. And I have heard word that the Lin Kuei are with the Monks at their temple. We must stop them from interfering with our business. I will send Mileena to do the dirty work." Shao Kahn said. Mileena overhears this and giggles.
"Oh yes! Finally, someone to play with, after so many years of hiding. I love a bite out of those arrogant monks and lonesome ice ninjas." Mileena smiles, ready for a challenge.
"That is what I like to hear from you, my daughter. Always ready to make a meal out of the ones who are foolish enough to lay down their lives. Make sure they don't go anywhere." Shao Kahn orders her. Mileena bows her head.
"I shall take Tanya, Ferra/Torr and Chameleon with me. They will be surprised to see me, as I love surprises." Mileena said as she leaves to gather them. Unknown to the three, Rain was overhearing their entire conversation. He smirked, imagining all the power of Blaze to himself. But one thing came across his mind: Delia. For some reason, that name sounds awfully familiar to him. But why?
The Shirai Ryu have succeeded. They have captured Darrius and Dairou, newest members of the Red Dragon while spying on the Black Dragon. They have brought them back to their home as prisoners. Besides Kobra and Kira, they have been the most mysterious ones that the heroes have ever encountered. Takeda and Jacqui are hoping to get answers from them and what their motives are.
"This isn't going to be easy. They've been rather secretive about things. Then again, it feels like they're hiding stuff that not even the Black Dragon knows whatever kind of shit is going down with them." Jacqui said.
"Mistress Jacquline is right. Me and Vera tried before when we first met them, but we couldn't get anything out of them. They must be part of the Red Dragon." Satoshi replied.
"Yeah. I mean people wearing weird robes like that wouldn't be part of the Black Dragon except that Tremor guy. Thought they would have something to do with someone else involved. It was either them or Mileena." Vera said.
"Regardless, we need to make them talk by any means necessary, but it'll be difficult to do so without threatening their lives. And I'm not sure if they are trained to resist telepathy. I mean, we are talking about another race we have never encountered before. So this will be a new experience for us all. It can't be any worse than dealing with the ones from Chaosrealm." Kenshi tells everyone.
They all look at each other in agreement. They would have no choice but to proceed further with the interrogation. They both walk into a tent that's nowhere near close to their home. In fact, said tent is actually where they keep prisoners, including the still alive Seidans that fought beside Darrius and Dairou. They walk in to see the two prisoners with both their heads bended down, awake and breathing. Takeda nods to two of his men to take off their blindfolds and they do so.
Dairou angrily stares at them in defiance, while Darrius remains more calm and collected. He stares at them without any emotion. "Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu. A pleasant surprise that someone has finally succeeded Hanzo Hasashi, formerly known as Scorpion." Darrius said to them.
"Something far worse has happened to you two from what I've been able to tell. Yet it still makes us ask what has gotten you so worked up." Takeda replied while staring at the defiant Dairou.
"Like you should know. You have no idea what the hell I have been through. What Darrius has been through." Dairou said, staring at them.
"And that is why we chose to spare you. To find out why. Why would you want to ally yourselves with the Red Dragon and Black Dragon? What is your grudge against Orderrealm besides going after the daggers?" Jacqui demanded.
"I'll never talk. You don't deserve to know. We would rather die rather than betray our lord and master Daegon." Dairou refuses.
Takeda turns to Vera and nods to her. Vera steps up and puts two fingers to the side of her head. She closes her eyes and does her best to concentrate. Vera grits her teeth, trying to focus, trying to find clear images of a memory, but she seems to be having a hard time. Things seem to look blurry for her. All she hears are screams and yelling. And Vera begins to see something, though not completely. All she can see are more than several ounces of blood on the floor and a hand on the floor, motionless.
Vera returns to the real world, gasping for air and gesturing her head in pain. Satoshi immediately dashes to her and bends down to check on her. "Vera! Are you okay? What happened?" Satoshi asked, worried about her pain.
"I….. I'm fine. I'm okay." Vera said, still breathing for air.
"What did you see?" Jacqui asked.
"I-I couldn't get much. I still haven't mastered my power, I could only get so much. All I can hear is screaming. Someone yelling, like in anger or something, I don't know. Some other voices were talking, I couldn't make it out. I heard Dairou's voice, but I also saw blurry images of a body on the floor, and blood spilled. But I couldn't see that person's face." Vera explained, regaining her bearings.
"It's alright. You'll get a better chance. Someday you'll get complete control over it. Let me try to give it a shot." Kenshi said, reassuring his granddaughter.
"No need for that, Shirai Ryu." Dairou said, getting everyone's attention. "Given what your daughter has found out in my head, I no longer see harm in seeing what has happened before me and Darrius have joined Daegon's cause."
The four heroes of the Shirai Ryu look at each other again and turn back to their prisoners. "As you wish. But no lying to us." Takeda said. Darrius and Dairou both begin to explain their story of their past, their lives in Orderrealm and what caused them to become evil in the first place.
Thousands of years ago
Orderrealm. Known as the realm of order. One of the six major realms throughout the universe and home to the Seidans, shaped like a complete circle with narrow-like bridges. Trees growing from the bottom of the roads and water beneath said trees. Civilization that lives in towers, home to more than dozens of people where they live and work. The realm is divided into four towns: Goldtown, Redtown, Greentown, and Bluetown. They are named after four different gemstones that act as currency within the realm. They are called gold nuggets, winterstones, fire opals and green gems.
Seidans run their own businesses, running their own clothing stores, robes and dresses, and spending fire opals. Stock markets for food use green gems as currency. Winter stones are spent for weapons and equipment for households. And gold nuggets are used mostly for households themselves, as to pay bills, even in Seido.
Many Seidans have their own families. Many, many children express their energy and need for playtime, running around the villages, wanting to have fun. But parents would often have to pull their children close to them, so guards wouldn't come and arrest the parents or take the children away, as they take it as a sign for wanting freedom. And the adults themselves have to be exceptionally careful on what they speak of, as they cannot be seen or heard talking about the governments or their personal opinion about it, otherwise, they'd be taken in for questioning and hope that they aren't talking treason. As freedom is forbidden for all who thrive in the realm.
The government, as Kitana and Fujin have pointed out, has been known for its strict laws, and forbid freedom, believing that it will lead to anarchy. Though they are allowed to maintain normal lives, such as working and having a family, having children, everyone must follow its strict laws, otherwise, face the consequences, being a republican government. It is led by a Seidan named Hotaru, leader and ruler of Orderrealm. They would not mind allying with certain realms, but they have a strained relationship with the likes of Chaosrealm, Edenia and Outworld. The former for being the complete opposite. Edenia for their different point of view on laws. And the latter due to it being ruled by Shao Kahn at the time. So for safety to prevent being involved in war, they have sworn to remain neutral from that moment on. Warriors would be trained in fighting as well as magic as a way to defend themselves from anyone or anything considered an enemy. But only in the most desperate hours, would they be able to choose to side whichever realm they please.
Things are going well for the home of Orderrealm and the civilization. One of them being Dairou. Until one day….. He comes home and his life changes forever. Dairou comes home from his daily duty as a fighter and royal guardian of the realm's council. Dairou walks into the door of his home, which he believed was completely secure. He drops his weapon out of pure shock and raises over to his now dead wife, holding their dead daughter in one arm, with another on the floor. Blood is everywhere, and there's even a little blood dripping from the sealing. All Dairou can think about is shedding tears while holding his now dead family in his arms, gritting his teeth and crying quietly.
Unknown to him, a man in a mask and black robes was unsheathing his blade, ready to finish him while he isn't looking. But this would be the mystery killer's undoing as Dairou opens his eyes in pure anger. The killer steps closer and was about to thrust his sword down through his head, but Dairou rapidly parries the weapon away, chops his collarbone, throws a strong punch to his chest, making him spit out blood and kicks him out the door and hitting the wall. The killer is on both knees and before he could try to get up, two other guards point their spears at him and bring out chains for his hands and feet, ready to arrest him. Dairou nods to the two guards and they proceed to take him away. To the council high up in the sky with floating buildings, all being guarded by flying, magical ships, all surrounding the center pyramid of Orderrealm. The trial starts now.
"So you see, High Council Hotaru. I return to my home, only to find my wife and my daughter murdered in cold blood. And this man has attempted to kill me next. But I overpowered him and two guards were witnesses to his attempt." Dairou tells Hotaru his story. Hotaru's appearance has him sporting long, black hair, wearing black and green robes and wearing black and green gloves. Next to him is a double-bladed sword.
"I see. I apologize, my friend. You have my deepest condolences." Hotaru tells him before turning to their prisoner. "What is your name? Unmask yourself this instant." He orders him. The man sighs in defeat as he takes it off, and he closely resembles Hotaru, except he is completely bald and has black and purple robes on and had a halberd on him prior to his arrest.
"Hello, brother." Kotan said, glaring and smiling at him.
"Kotan?! My only brother?! Why? Why would you go and murder my best guard Dairou's family?! What has he ever done to you?!" Hotaru demanded answers. This only made his brother laugh sinisterly.
"Why?! Because you can't keep an eye on everyone at once, but I can! I should've been picked as leader, but no, they chose you instead! He hired me to make an example of your failure to keep everything in check!" Kotan exclaimed.
"And who is he? Why would he want to replace me as the high council leader of Orderrealm?" Hotaru asked.
"Like I will tell you. By the time I do so, he will already be gone. Because your incompetence will get the best of you. That will be your downfall someday." Kotan said, smiling very deviously at him.
"For now, this session is concluded. Me and the council will decide your fate. Either banishment or life in prison with no paroles whatsoever. Guards. Take him back to his cell." Hotaru ordered as the guards put Kitan in shackles on his wrists and ankles. "You disappoint me, Kotan. I never thought you would be insane. How could you become like this?" Hotaru glared at his brother in utter disgust. As Kotan have been taken away to his prison cell, laughing like an insane person. As he leaves, Dairou turns to his old friend.
"Banishment? Life in prison? Those are the only choices of punishments you could possibly think of?" Dairou questions him.
"Dairou, I know this is painful for you, but we must remain a peaceful realm if we are to survive anymore ideals like this." Hotaru tries to tell him.
"But you were the one that said that justice must be obtained by any means necessary as long as those around are satisfied. There must be more than that. We need more justice to face injustice. We need executions, to teach lessons about going too far with crimes like this." Dairou demands.
"You know that executions are forbidden by the council. Death is not the answer to everything. Your family did not deserve to die, but taking revenge by doing the same thing my brother did will only make things worse." Hotaru replied. This starts to get Dairou angry, as he begins to grip his fists.
"But he must answer for his crimes! If he breaks out and steals one of our sky ships, he could pull more murders! Your family could be next! This has to stop here and now! He must die now!" Dairou protests.
"Silence!" Hotaru said, slamming his staff to the ground, making the whole courtroom erupt in echos, the whole pyramid lighting up for a few seconds. "I will not tolerate such anger and protests in my courtroom. Our laws and penalties will stand clear as long as I am alive. If you do not heed my warning, then I will have no choice but to lock you up as well until you learn how to understand my words. Do I make myself final, Dairou?" Hotaru said, staring down at him from his high standpoint.
Dairou growls in anger and defeat. He knows that if he tries to even fight him, he would immediately lose, given the guards surrounding the entire building, inside and out. So he sighs and leaves….. But that does not mean it was over for him. His eyes glared in anger and a tear dropping, remembering his now late wife and daughter.
Later that night, Kotan is quietly whispering to himself, making sure no one could hear him. He whispers the same words over and over again.
"Freedom. Chaos. Hotaru." Kotan whispered to himself. "Freedom. Chaos. Hotaru. Freedom. Chaos. Hotaru."
Kotan rocked back and forth, whispering his words, deeming that his brother's leadership will lead to chaos because of lack of freedom. And that someone else should lead. Someone that can agree with him. He hopes so as one of the guards approach his cell.
"Oh? Is it time for my last meal yet?" Kotan jokingly asked.
"No." The guard said. "It's time for you to suffer an even better punishment than exile or life imprisonment."
"Oh? That voice. It's-"
The guard takes his mask off, revealing himself to be Dairou. The young man is staring at the murderer of his family in deep, cold hatred, fighting back tears. Kotan smiled, as if he knew Dairou would come for him. He snickered.
"I was hoping you'd come, Dairou." Kotan smiled like the psychopath that he is. "Have you come to hear my pleas for why I did it?" Kotan asked him. Dairou couldn't bring himself to say anything to him.
"You see, this pyramid is not a prison. Seido is. The whole realm is a prison. Hotaru and his government think that we should act like them. No emotions, no souls." Kotan stood up, and began to hop around like a child while talking. "You know deep down they all desire freedom. And that there's no way to ask for it. But it can be earned. And you long desired for that, my friend. And you didn't want to bring the freedom upon yourself. So I thought about doing it for you."
"By murdering my family?!" Dairou entered the cell. "Did you look at my wife and daughter before you killed them?!"
"Yes! Exactly, my boy!" Kotan smiled more. "Death is the key to freedom from Seido! They were asking for freedom and they did not want to admit it! So I gave it to them! The way the girl flew around the home screaming! And when I swung my weapon, it was a sight to behold! And my brother is too stupid to look at it! That is why he is not worthy! And your family, their too blind to see tha-"
Dairou swings his sword at his chest, cutting his heart in the process. Piles of blood comes out and part of his heart is sticking out. This only brings joy to Kotan as he fell to his knees.
"N-now my f-freedom approaches. Y-you'll see, Dairou. T-that I was right." Kotan uttered. He fell flat on his chest with a smile on his face. He sees death as a good thing. His lips touch his own blood, like he was trying to give a kiss as he passes on.
Dairou wanted to let more of his anger out. His kicked Kotan's body over onto his back and began stabbing him in the stomach, with blood and guts coming out and stabbing him in the head multiple times, switching between them.
Present Day
"That same night. And then as he died, I said for my wife and daughter. I wanted them to arrest me and lock me up, as long as I didn't want to see Hotaru's face again. Regardless of what punishment, I had planned to take my own life to be with my family. A guard approached, but not who I was expecting to see." Dairou explained to them while glancing at Darrius.
Takeda, Jacqui, Hanzo, Vera and Satoshi listened very carefully. Takeda could easily tell he was not lying, given what Vera has told everyone and the look in Dairou's eyes. Even Jacqui couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for the loss of his family. Hanzo watched with disbelief alongside Satoshi. Vera, despite not mastering her abilities, could tell he's speaking the truth.
"And that was where I came in." Darrius spoke up. "I was the first to walk to Katon's cell, with Dairou in it. We were friends for so long. Long before we both joined the council guards of Orderrealm. It only took me a minute to convince to not give up. I persuaded him to come with me. I guided him to our escape. Start a resistance movement against our home. I too agreed with his opinion on Hotaru's ways. We both escaped the guards before we could be surrounded. No one recognized us. It did not take long for Hotaru to realize I left with him. We swore that we would never leave each other no matter what. I lost an eye, but that did not stop me. It did not stop us from wanting to take control of our realm. Hotaru has been in power for too long and it is time for new rulers to rise." Darrius said.
"So this is it? All you wanted was to overthrow this Hotaru person just because you want to be the new ruler? He has a point. Death and violence are not always the answer. I feel sorry for your loss, I do. But that does not mean you should influence your rage and unleash it for revenge. Revenge will only bring more pain." Satoshi said.
"You sound like him. You sound just like Hotaru. I know you are no pacifist, given our recent experience with you, but you don't know anything about pain. No nothing about revenge. It is the best way to go for anything. Even you Shirai Ryu know nothing." Dairou said.
"And that was when you came across Daegon and the Red Dragon?" Jacqui asked.
"And he promised you he would grant your wishes if you helped him?" Vera also asked.
"Yes. He promised to help us become new rulers of Orderrealm if we helped him with his plans with the Kamidogu." Darrius explained. Takeda was about to put two fingers to his forehead, but Darrius stops him. "Don't bother. Daegon did not tell us anything about the Kamidogu and why he wants them. All we know is he forged our alliance with Shao Kahn. We know better than to lie to you, Takahashi. We were told about your abilities."
"Take them away." Hanzo ordered the two guards. They blind the two prisoners yet again and lead them away from the tent and back to their prison cells. This leaves the heroes wondering what to do now.
"You underestimate us, Shirai Ryu. That will be your mistake. You will live long enough to regret it." Dairou said before he is being pulled away by guards.
"What do we do now, dad? Do you think it's right? Right for them to rebel against their own order because something does not go their way? Because Dairou lost his family to a crazy person? How do we continue from here?" Vera asked in big confusion.
"I'm not sure, Vera. I feel sorry for him losing his family. But that doesn't mean he has the right to outright kill Hotaru's insane brother." Takeda answered his daughter.
"Your father is right, young Vera. I learned that revenge will only bring consequences." Hanzo Hasashi said.
"I may go to try to investigate further. I will journey to Edenia." Kenshi said.
"Father. I'm not sure if it is such a good idea." Takeda said.
"Do not fear, Takeda. Given the Red Dragon's history with Edenia, they must know something. I can talk to Sindel and maybe help Taven." Kenshi said. Takeda was reluctant to let his father go as he growing older. But in the end concedes.
"Alright. Just be careful, father." Takeda hugs his father and he hugs back.
"I promise I will return once I find out more information." Kenshi said. He leaves the place and starts leaving the village to make his way to an end portal to Edenia.
"Where do we go from here? I know that they are part of the Red Dragon, but what else can we do? Even if I understand their pain, I now realize that their way of things isn't right. Liberation isn't right. Even when he didn't deserve to lose his family, this isn't right. Mom and dad told me that there is a time and place for action, but they are not always the answer and to look into the situation and think." Vera said. Takeda and Jacqui nod to her in understanding, both glad that she remembered their lessons they have taught her. Same thing with Satoshi.
"Vera is right. We need to think our way through this issue. But we can't hold out forever. Hopefully Cassie and Alex or Liu Kang will have something for us to hear." Jacqui said. As she said that, they all hear lightning striking down from the ground. They know too well who has done that. It was none other than Fire God Liu Kang.
"Grandmaster Takeda. Mistress Jacquline. How is the progress on your mission?" Liu Kang asked them.
"We got some details out of the two prisoners about why they want to burn their own home to the ground, but other than that, we don't know anything about Daegon's and Shao Kahn's plan." Takeda said.
"That is where I come in. And I have news. Rather unfortunate news." Liu Kang said to them.
Note: I hope I did alright with describing Seido wjile not making things too political. And made Dairou's and Darrius' backstories interesting since they're not one of the most popular characters in the franchise. There's more to come for these two. And also, I have seen the DLC trailer yesterday. I am excited for the second story and the return of Cryax, Sektor and Noob Saibot. But I'm not too excited on the guest characters, being Ghostface, Conan the Barbarian and the T-1000. But my opinion may change overtime. And I wasn't a fan of the animality back then, I'm willing to give it a second chance.