Chapter 27: Earthrealm
Trust. Betrayal. Hurt. It all hurts anyone's hearts just thinking about it. When things seemed to be looking up for Edenia, they have been betrayed at the worst possible time by one of their own. Tessa attacks Sindel, takes the Kamidogu, kills her former guardian comrades and escapes to the Netherrealm. While the heroes ponder on the mixed news, the villains have more good news.
The first one to return was Havik the Chaos Cleric. And with him, Hotaru as a prisoner. He approaches Shao Kahn, Mileena and Daegon. "My comrades. I have failed to bring you the dagger, but I got something else." Havik stands aside, showing them Hotaru.
"The leader of order and law. The one person that has always been hiding in his own home for centuries finally decided to come out." Shao Kahn mocks.
"Coming from the one who has died two times. So the word is true. You have indeed returned and brought Daegon and the chaos bastard into this mess." Hotaru replied. That comment earned him a punch to the face by the cleric.
"You will soon tell me where the Kamidogu is. I am assuming Jerrod has it." Shao Kahn guesses.
"No. I told him to leave and never come back. I do not trust edenians. I do not want part of this war that you are in." Hotaru lied.
"A shame that you can't trust anyone unlike me, Hotaru." Havik said, grabbing his neck once more. "No matter. It'll be a matter of time before we find what is rightfully ours."
"Take him away." Shao Kahn ordered Reiko and Ferra/Torr. They nod and they grab Hotaru by his weak arms as they drag him to a cell that is a floor beneath them. As soon as they walk away with him, the portal opens and Tessa walks through with the Kamidogu of Edenia along with everyone else.
"My Lord Daegon. I have returned with your prize." Tessa bows before him. She holds up her arms to represent the dagger. Daegon smiles greatly and takes it from his hand.
"Ah. A third one in our grasp. Well done, Tessa. You have surprised me with your nature and skills. I knew you were capable of carrying out such a heavy task. You have earned your place at the table as my new commander of the magic users of the Red Dragon." Daegon praises her. Tessa smiles from her new pride.
"Lord Daegon. I am honored by your words. I told you I would not fail. They did not suspect a thing until it was too late. And Taven wants to tell you that he will find you and kill you himself." Tessa smirks.
"He is welcome to try." Daegon tells her before turning to Shao Kahn. "We still have two more daggers to find. The one from Orderrealm is missing. And we have yet to discover the one in Earthrealm."
"I've brought back a valuable prisoner as well." Tessa said, holding up Kenshi in the air.
"Kenshi Takahashi. Father of Takeda. Who's son who has murdered my own son Dogron." Daegon glares at him. He was about to bring out his sword, but Tessa stops him.
"Master. I have a better idea for him. I want to see them break. Let them know how we feel." Tessa smirks.
"Hmm. Surprise me, Tessa. Do whatever you wish to do with him. Make it good." Daegon tells her.
"Oh. I intend to." Tessa evilly smirks as she looks at Kenshi's nearly unconscious body.
"Havik will have his race turn every stone of Orderrealm until he finds it. He better not fail me, or he will feel my hand as I crush his skull." Shao Kahn glares at him and Havik nods out of happiness at his threat. He loves threats. Havik turns to leave again, but as he leaves, Rain enters.
"Pardon me, my league. But I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. You said you could not find the one in Earthrealm. I may be of assistance. I think I may know where it is from when you sent me to scout." Rain said.
"Where is it, Rain?" Shao Kahn demanded.
"I have found more than dozens of Earthrealm soldiers from their pact that they call Special Forces. They seemed to be walking around a very particular area and looked desperate. I used my powers to discover that they are using technology to cover a cabin. I believe chances are the last Kamidogu may be hidden there." Rain explained.
"A cabin. Where the Kamidogu is located?" Shao Kahn asked. He actually smiles. "Ah. That is clever. They planned ahead just in case something like this were to happen. Or will happen."
"Shall I go and retrieve it for you?" Rain begged.
"No. Because I now know who is going there. Cage is mine to fight. No one touches him." Shao Kahn reminds him.
"Father. May I come along as well? I know who's coming with him. And I have a score to settle with the wife." Mileena snarls. Shao Kahn sees through her eyes and can tell who she means.
"Permission granted, daughter." Shao Kahn approves. Mileena smiles at this and she speaks in another language and brings forth dozens of undead with them. Shao Kahn's hand glows as a green portal opens in front of them. He and his daughter Mileena walk through the portal with the undead following them before it closes on them.
It has been years. The woods, where the cabin is, remains untouched and unharmed up to this day. The last time it was visited was by Alex and Cassie and their children when they were infants, as well as Jacqui, Takeda, Jin and Jade. It was a good thing Alex found this place in the woods when he ran off. No one ever thought they would have to come back here again to get Earthrealm's powerful tool.
A portal opens in the woods. Alex, Cassie, Jade, Anthony and a tired looking Flora walk through and enter the woods. As it closes, Flora bends to her knees, feeling out of breath and nauseous.
"G-god damn. I never thought opening these portals would be so hard to do. Thought it would be easy." Flora said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Apparently, she was the one who made the portal this time, not Alex.
"Yeah, that's what I thought too until I was told otherwise. I'll show you how to properly use healing powers when the time comes. The reason why I get so tired from it is because I'm half human and it takes up my energy." Alex explained to his daughter.
"Really? Oh yeah. I forgot about that. We're not sorcerers. I mean, who wants to be one anyway and end up being some creepy old person?" Flora jokingly asked, making her brother snicker. He knows she is referring to Shang Tsung.
"I hear that alright. It's better having those powers like an actual Elder God and beating another one." Anthony pointed out.
"Who do you think raised you two kiddos after all? I mean hello? We both beat two different Elder Gods." Cassie tells them.
"So where is the cabin?" Flora asked.
"Over there in the center, remember? We used to visit here whenever we weren't busy. It was generous of the colonel dad to name us after his grandparents." Anthony said.
Cassie approaches the soldiers, who are awaiting her orders. "General. We got your call. What did you need?" The soldier asked.
"Lower the cloaking tech. The Kamidogu is in there that we must get. Before anyone shows up to steal it." Cassie ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." The soldier acknowledged. She turns to the group of dozens of soldiers and nods to them. One of them enters some numbers on the pad and within a few seconds, the cloak lowers itself and the cabin of Alex's parents is revealed. The family still remains astonished at how it still stands. Flora whistles, sounding impressed.
"Y'know, we gotta give our grandparents credit. Even though it's old, it still looks so fucking cool up to this day. This would be a cool place to retire." Flora said.
"It is a very clever move indeed. A good way to treasure something that is invaluable to one person. This place still looks amazing by today's standards." Jade compliments the house.
Anthony and Flora walk forward to the cabin while Alex and Cassie look on in their own joy. This definitely brings back memories, especially for Alex. "Oh man. The good times we had here." Alex sighed.
"Yeah. Flora is right about this place." Cassie smiles.
"I remember coming across this place. When I found an actual photo of my parents and seeing Raiden one more time. The first time I found it, I thought it was a coincidence. It really was." Alex smiled.
"Oh, I remember you telling me that." Cassie said before punching his arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" Alex asked.
"Don't forget the time you ran away and scared the shit outta everyone. Jacqui told me what you did." Cassie tells him. It appears she was upset at him for doing such a reckless thing that would have mostly got him captured by Geras if it weren't for his family and friends finding him first.
"Hey, I apologized to you so many fucking times after that. You know that." Alex said in a slightly scared tone, trying to defend himself. Cassie gives him a glare before she pulls him in by his uniform.
"And you owed me another vacation that went interrupted and a big date and more love after that." Cassie tells him before she suddenly kisses him. "And I was never mad by the way. I could never, I was so fucking concerned."
"And that is why I should know better than to get on your bad side." Alex joked. Jade couldn't help but quietly giggle to herself, seeing how they playfully argue with each other.
"Ever." Cassie said before they shared a laugh. "Come on, we got a job to do." They go to catch up to Anthony and Flora as the twins were the first to enter the cabin door. They look around and they enjoy the artwork made by the grandparents and the scented candles left there to help the place smell good and new. There was the radio and some books and the homemade gym made by their grandfather.
"Admiring. Your parents must have loved living peaceful lives in this home they have made together." Jade smiles. Even Jade is fascinated by the sights of artwork that are hung up on the walls.
"So where is the Kamidogu?" Anthony asked.
"Follow me." Alex tells them. He leads them down to the basement. The basement is surprisingly big enough to fit a family in it. Around it were family photos of Johnny and Sonya, Alex and Cassie and the twins and last but not least, a bigger picture of Alex's parents themselves. Anthony and Flora looked in awe of their appearances, noting their grandfather's kind heartedness and protectivness and their grandmother's looks as a god and her love towards humankind. Right in front of their feet is Earthrealm's Kamidogu.
"When was the last time you did this?" Flora asked.
"When I was about at least 27 years old. When your mom was pregnant with you two. It's been a long time, but I know how this works. After all, Sindel showed me how." Alex explained. He grabs some candles and places them in four corners of the Kamidogu. He uses his powers to lit them up and Alex stands on top of it.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Cassie asked her husband.
"No. I got this. This requires plenty of experience." Alex tells them. He sits down, crosses his legs and holds out his hands and closes his eyes. He breathes in and out slowly and calmly. The twins as well as Cassie remain confused by how it's gonna work. Within moments, the tile itself lights up and in turn, Alex's powers activate.
"Whoa. How are you doing that?" Flora asked.
"I'm not." Alex said. "This shouldn't take long." Alex said. He enters his astral plane inside his own mind. Anthony looks on in horror as Jade puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a reassuring smile, knowing Alex will be alright.
Alex opens his eyes and sees his green astral plane and looks around. It may have been a long time for him, but he has not forgotten the lessons Sindel taught him about thinking about all the happiest memories. Alex thinks about all the ones he can think of. He sees himself being with Cassie on his first day with the Special Forces and his training with her, Jacqui, who began to see him as another best friend, Takeda and Kung Jin. He remembers earning Sonya's trust after he saved Cassie from Kano and the first date and first kiss with her. Jump to a year later, they celebrated their first anniversary and gave their first time to each other in bed. He has not forgotten the time he first met Raiden and the good versions of Liu Kang and Kung Lao and later, Kitana and Jade. He smiles seeing how he and Jade bonded and her calling him her little brother as well as Jacqui, and the times Jade saved his life from Skarlet. He then remembers proposing to Cassie before the final battle and she accepts and in their wedding in the New Era.
There's more memories. Alex sees himself and Cassie on their second anniversary and having fun sparring despite losing to her when she tricked him and their gifts for each other. And on that same night with Cassie announcing her pregnancy to Alex and their time they've spent in Edenia and bonding more with Jade and Sindel. Alex remembered seeing his parents for the first and only time. They both told him they loved him as they hugged him and his mother kissing his forehead. He then sees Anthony and Flora being born and holding them in their arms and he and Cassie accepting their applications and welcoming them in the Special Forces after making it through school and college. The missions they went on together and the training they've had together and the times when they were kids.
Alex couldn't help but put on a big smile at all the wonderful memories he has. His story may not have such a happy start, but he didn't let it define who he was. It was who he chose to be. And he defined what his purpose in life is. And that is protecting his family, his friends and Earthrealm from the forces of darkness. Those were the happiest days of his life. His eyes filled with water just thinking about it.
Alex sees lights gathering in one place and are merging together. They start glowing as they form into one and brighten up until Alex is engulfed in the light.
In the real world, Alex opens his eyes and sees Cassie and the twins looking at him out of surprise. Alex sees their reaction and looks in his hands and is holding Earthrealm's Kamidogu. It does not look anywhere as sharp as the other daggers and it has some description on the blade itself and the end of it holds the symbol. Alex stands up and looks at them.
"Well. Here it is. Let's get the hell out of here." Alex tells them and they nod. But before they could make a move, a soldier runs down to them.
"General! Colonel! We got trouble! A green portal is opening right in front of us. Couple miles north from here!" The soldier said. Alex and Cassie look at each other, alarmed and they immediately run upstairs with the twins following while confused.
The Cage family as well as Jade run outside and run a couple miles north in front of the cabin to confront the source. It took a few minutes before they reached the green portal. All four of them bring out their respective guns, ready to confront who it is. Alex and Cassie unfortunately recognize who could make portals of that color. Within a moment, Shao Kahn as well as Mileena slowly walk out of the portal. Following them are more than dozens of undead. Anthony and Flora, for the first time, feel intimidated by the sight of the conqueror himself.
"I-Is that who I think it is?" Flora shakingly asked. She looked at her hands and they were shaking badly. Never before were they afraid of anything this much.
"The Big Bad and the ugly wannabe." Cassie tells her.
"Shao Kahn and Mileena." Alex glares at them, holding his weapons tightly in his hands.
"Alex Cage and Cassandra Cage. We meet each other at last." Shao Kahn said.
"I was hoping we wouldn't have to run into your pathetic faces right now. Because of how cringeworthy you two are." Cassie insults them.
"You know what I've come for. You've done the work for me, which saves me the trouble of looking for it myself." Shao Kahn said, seeing the dagger in Alex's hand. Alex feels somewhat tempted by its dangerous power. He is of course aware of the dangerous blood magic that thrives within them.
"Awe. Poor man does not want to give up Earth's toy? Well too bad! That thing will be ours, even if I have to bite your hands off!" Mileena threatens to eat him, much to Cassie's own anger.
"What do you plan to do, Alex?" Shao Kahn mocks him. "Do you plan to make things easier and use the blood magic and fight me swiftly and quickly and waste your energy? Or do you prefer your own traditional fighting?"
Alex looks down at the dagger and is indecisive. He feels Shao Kahn tempting him to use its powers. He remembers Cassie telling him about how she, Jacqui and even Raiden and Sub-Zero were under their control while manipulated by Havik and Reiko. Alex blinked twice before he snapped out of a bloody voice calling his name. He looks at Cassie and she slowly shakes her head at him, as if to tell him not to do it. Alex looks at the dagger one more time before looking up at Shao Kahn. "I'll take my chances." He puts the dagger onto his belt.
"Good choice. I'll be taking it off of your bloody corpse." Shao Kahn threatens Alex. Jade grits her teeth in anger and holds her staff in front of her little brother.
"Don't you dare touch him, Shao Kahn!" Jade glares at him. Shao Kahn finds this amusing.
"Protecting Earthrealmers, Jade? You make me laugh even more." Shao Kahn mocks her.
"Anthony. Flora. Head back to the cabin with the soldiers. Take these assholes with y'all." Cassie tells them.
"W-what? We can't leave you with those jerks." Flora tries to protest.
"Flora. We talked about this. Those soldiers need you. Please. Let us handle them. They're too powerful for you." Alex asked her. Anthony puts a hand on her shoulder. Flora looks at him and she reluctantly sighs in defeat.
"Fine. But be careful. For us." Flora pleads before she and Anthony run backwards.
"Jade. Please make sure they're safe. We got these two." Alex asks her.
"I cannot let you fight him." Jade tries to protest as well.
"I'm not discussing it. Anthony's and Flora's lives are very important to us. Are they to you as well?" Alex looks at her. Jade looks at the twins fighting the undead. She had to make up her mind on what to do. She has grown fond of the twins growing up. She would do anything to protect the parents as well as them.
"Just be careful, Alex." Jade said. She gives him a concerned look and places a hand on his cheek before she runs to help the twins.
"Deal with the younglings and their crew." Shao Kahn orders the undead and they immediately start running past Alex and Cassie and start chasing the twins. This leaves Alex and Cassie to face Shao Kahn and Mileena.
"Cassie." Alex turns to her.
"Please tell me I got the bitch with the teeth." Cassie asks, hoping for the answer.
"All yours." Alex tells her, much to her delight. Alex and Cassie separate, with Alex fighting Shao Kahn while Cassie fights Mileena.
"Remember me, Cassandra?" Mileena asked.
"Seriously? Your death gave me nightmares back then." Cassie grossly points out. She nearly threw up after watching Mileena die at the hands of D'Vorah and was not going to eat for a while after that.
"Your death will not trouble me at all. I have been dying to get my vengeance on you. I remember you aiding Kotal against me." Mileena snarled.
"No shit, fuckwit. You're a crazed she-beast. At this rate, you'll never be anything like Kitana, because she's actually likable." Cassie glares at her.
"And for that, I shall devour your flesh!" Mileena yelled as they fight.
Cassie comes in and Mileena blocks each of her swings and tries to swing a sai at her, but she backflip jumps backwards and shoots her guns. Mileena teleports and tries to stab her, but Cassie blocks it, punches her right rib cage, uppercuts her in the chin and double kicks her in the chest. Mileena stumbles, allowing Cassie to jump and double kick her in the forehead and then knees her in the back followed by a fist slam on the right shoulder before shooting the shoulder, causing Mileena pain. Mileena growls at the pain and quickly throws a sai into Cassie's right shoulder, teleports and kicks her in the right leg and throws her, teleports again and stomps onto her chest, sending her down. Mileena removes her sai, causing Cassie pain and she happily licks Cassie's blood on her sai. Mileena smiles, wanting more and is about to thrust it into her head, but Cassie grabs hold of her wrists, does a back roll and kicks Mileena off.
Cassie gestures to her wounded shoulder and is now pissed off. Mileena charges in and Cassie shoots her in the left ankle and backflip kicks her in the jaw, sending her into the air. Mileena teleports to recover, only for Cassie to elbow her jaw, knee her chest and pulls off a shadow kick to the stomach, sending Mileena sliding back. Cassie runs up to her, and Mileena throws a sai which Cassie dodges, but Mileena punches her in the stomach and swings her sai at her face, leaving a small cut on her right cheek and jumps on her shoulder and attempts to bite her neck, but Cassie thinks fast and frontflips and slams Mileena into the ground and jumps behind her. Mileena teleports again and tries to jump on her again, but Cassie rolls backwards, brings out her switchblade, and stabs Mileena's other shoulder, bleeding and nearly making it break, and does a kick to her left ankle, back of the head before a thief kick to the spine, sending Mileena forward. Mileena recovers and jumps high in the air, but Cassie activates her powers and does a jumping shadow kick to the jaw, cracking it and does a shadow dive kick, sending Mileena down to the ground, greatly cracking her chest in the process. Mileena has been defeated.
"I don't know why Shang Tsung created you, but that asshole was not right in the head. And you are just the worst." Cassie insults the unconscious Mileena.
Elsewhere, Alex was alone, facing the might og Shao Kahn. The latter cracked a wolfish grin, his infernal eyes piercing Alex's soul.
"I have been waiting a long time to fight you, Alex Cage. You owe me." Shao Kahn said.
"I'm assuming Geras must have told you about me, then?" Alex guessed.
"Yes. Geras told me everything. Kronika wanted you as her personal emissary for her New Era. And you threw it all away."
Alex scoffed, followed with a smirk. "I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to. At least I'm not like you or Shang Tsung. He died by his own hand." Alex said.
"Daegon, Mavado, Mileena. They gave me quite the history lesson. Not only did you live to tell the tale, you-"
Shao Kahn erupted into a fit of laughter, his demonic cackling booming around them and into the ether.
"You actually killed the treacherous bastard. I could thank you for sparing me the trouble of putting him out of his misery. He deserved his fate." Shao Kahn said.
"And it's only a matter of time before you do the same."
"Why even Kitana and Jade choose to trust you baffles me. Enough babbling. When I'm done with you, your children will revel in their lives... as my slaves. Your son will be my personal guard. Your daughter would fit well as one of my concubines"
Alex's eyes twitched. Shao did not just say that. He. Didn't. Dare. He had to die. And it wouldn't be painless. He had to act now. And fast. His voice grew lower... and stepped forward.
"If you ever so much as try to touch my family, I'll be the last thing you'll ever see before I cut your fucking heart out."
"Raiden didn't have the guts. You? I doubt that. Show me, Alex Cage. Don't hold back. I will kill you. And your family will suffer."
Alex activates his powers and glows silver white and brings out his staff while the conqueror summons his wrath hammer. He and Shao Kahn stare at each other waiting to make the first move. Alex gets into a stance, alarming Shao Kahn as the former makes the first move and runs towards him. Alex swings his staff, which Shao Kahn counters with his hammer. He swings his hammer horizontally, which Alex ducks and swings his staff at his swinging arm, then across the head and slams an endpoint at his left knee before he backflip kicks Shao Kahn in the face. Alex jumps in and swings it at his left shoulder and his stomach and was about to swing it at his head, but Shao Kahn grabs it, kicks Alex in the face, lifts it and Alex in the air and punches him in the stomach, backhands him in the face and punches him in the chest, making Alex and his weapon go backwards. Shao Kahn jumps and swings his hammer down, but Alex dodges out of the way, only to be met with a backhand strike and punch to the forehead, followed by a kick to the chest and an uppercut.
Alex gets back up. He figured Shao Kahn would be powerful, but not as powerful as Kronika or Geras were. He was not going down that easily at the hands of the conqueror. He puts his staff away and gets ready for Shao Kahn to make a move. He slams his hammer at the ground, creating cracks in the ground. Alex punches the ground, stopping the cracks from reaching him. Shao Kahn summons wrath spears and throws one at Alex, which he swiftly dodges. He continues throwing more at him, which they collide with some trees. Alex runs out of the way as each tree almost falls on him. As he dodges, he nearly trips over a bark, but regains his footing. He glares at Shao Kahn and knows he has to close the gap.
Alex runs straight towards Shao Kahn and he throws another wrath spear. Alex slides under it and throws a wind punch at his gut and uses the wind to pull him in for a double kick to the face, two punches to the chest followed by an uppercut to the chest. He then pulls off two fire-charged roundhouse kicks to the chest and chin. Alex then fire punches Shao Kahn's right shoulder and kicks his right leg while leaving some minor burns on him from Alex's fire powers. Alex traps his hands and feet in water with his powers and knees his chest followed by an energy-enhanced punch.
Shao Kahn laughs, loving the challenge so far. He swings his hammer at Alex's chest, but misses but shoulder bashes him backwards. He pulls Alex down with his hammer on his left shoulder, slams the end of it into the ground and uppercuts Alex in the chest, cracking it. He grabs Alex's throat and throws him in the air and grabs his ankle and throws him into the ground. Alex gets back up, only to be punched in the jaw by Shao Kahn and sent backwards. Alex recovers again and ducks a horizontal swing from Shao Kahn's hammer and punches his chest and face before firing an energy beam at him, making Shao Kahn slide backwards. He throws his hammer, which Alex blocks with his disc shields, but he slides backwards as a result. Alex and Shao Kahn charge at each other with Alex's hands lighting up with energy and their fists collide, creating a shock wave.
Once the smoke clears, Shao Kahn has been shown as the one overpowered and his mask knocked off. Alex comes in shooting energy beams, but Shao Kahn dodges it and swings his hammer down on Alex, but he catches it by the sides. Alex uses all of his strength to try to push the hammer away. Shao Kahn was surprised at how he managed to survive so far, but the mighty conqueror's strength is beginning to prevail over the demigod's. Alex pushes the hammer away and electrocutes his body before shooting fire at part of his face, burning a portion, including his right eye. Shao Kahn screams in pain as Alex punches his chest two times, does a backflip kick to his jaw, cracking it and kicks his gut followed by elbowing his right shin, cracking it and punching his gut, making Shao Kahn spit up some blood. Alex charges up and fires a powerful energy beam at his chest, cracking it and parts of his ribs greatly, sending Shao Kahn sliding through many trees, finally defeating him.
Alex falls to his knees, exhausted. Shao Kahn has definitely gotten stronger since his resurrection. "No one threatens my family, asshole." Alex tells Shao Kahn as he gasps for air.
Cassie runs over to Alex and she looks at the defeated Shao Kahn. She looks back at her husband. "God damn. You beat him. You actually fucking beat the shit out of him. Nice one." Cassie compliments him. Alex smiles back. Their happiness disappears when they both hear grunting.
They both see that he is getting up and is spitting out plenty of blood. Shao Kahn glares at Alex, but actually smiles. He sees another green portal opening. He heard roaring and his eyes widened. He's very tempted to finish him off, but doesn't want to take any chances.
"Alex. We need to leave. Now!"
Cassie dashes off to meet with her children as well as Jade. Alex stares at Shao's barely conscious face.
"You will die soon, Shao Kahn. That is a promise." Alex swore before he runs back to catch up with his wife.
Alex and Cassie run as fast as possible despite being exhausted.
"Flora! We need a portal! Now! All troops! Evacuate, pronto!" Alex ordered her and everyone ordered. He uses his energy beams to kill many undead as well as his elemental powers. He barely makes it to Cassie and the twins.
"Dad! You okay?!" Anthony asked.
"I'm fine. It won't take long for Shao Kahn to catch up! We need to leave!" Alex tells him and they nod. The soldiers shoot as many undead as possible as they walk through the portal. Mileena sees this and tries to go after them, but it closes on her. She growls out of anger.
Mileena sees her father approaching her and she snarls in anger, seeing his partly burned face and partly burned body from his fight against Alex.
"Father!" Mileena approaches him. "The next time I see him, I will make him bleed out and cry for you to kill him. They got away with our prize." Mileena said. She turns to the direction where the portal closed on her. She is now more angry than before. But her anger fades away when her father starts laughing once more. She turns to him in confusion.
"That fight. That was the best fight I have had in years. He is a very worthy enemy indeed. More so than Raiden or Liu Kang." Shao Kahn smiles.
"But they got away." Mileena reminds him.
"Ah, my daughter. You have much to learn. All of the Kamidogu have now surfaced. Success or failure, it would not matter for us. It is time to ignite the next phase of our plan." Shao Kahn smirks evilly. Mileena smiles and giggles as well, seeing what he means.
Note: One of my favorite chapters I have ever written. While writing Alex vs Shao Kahn, I was listening to Duel of the Fates from Star Wars over and over again. Of course, he would give Alex a hard time despite the latter being half elder god. But Shao Kahn is one of strongest characters in the entire franchise. One of my favorite fights I have made. I hope you guys enjoyed that. Now with all the Kamidogu uncovered, what will happen next? As Doctor Strange would say, "We're in the endgame now."