Stepping inside through the destroyed wall, heads turned at the bloodied sight of Asuka. As she returned to Amelia Fireheart, she glared back at one Demon, forcing them to look back down at their beverage. Amelia was leaning back against the bar counter, necking down a shot whilst nursing a pint in her other hand. Her eyes flicked up at Asuka's entrance. Her smirk disappeared the moment she saw her wounded condition.
"What the Hell happened to you?" Amelia asked, setting her glass down and turning fully toward her. "I swear I thought it'd be a simple task and you'd walk out unharmed!"
"Black Dragon," Asuka snapped, slamming the bag on the bar. "They're the ones pushing this shit. I found their logo on two of the bastards back at the den."
Amelia's jaw tightened. "The Black Dragon? Fuck. That complicates things." She reached for the bag, pulling it open and inspecting its contents. The crystalline powder inside glinted ominously under the dim candle light.
"I didn't bring a sample for you to inspect," Asuka remarked as she snatched the bag. "It's meth, obvi."
"But it's clear," Amelia noted the transparent appearance of the crystals.
"So?" Asuka looked at her girlfriend with a puzzled look, one that was mirrored back at her.
"Meth's normally blue," Amelia claimed which made Asuka burst into laughter.
"You sheltered slut," Asuka chuckled. "You've only seen this in Breaking Bad before, ain't ya?"
"I'm not some druggo, so yes!" Amelia exclaimed.
"This batch looks perfectly normal," Asuka assured her. "Unless you wanna try it and we'll find out if it hits any dif-"
"No!" Amelia refused firmly.
"Good call," Asuka said as she stuffed the bag back into her jacket. "Bartender! Get me some booze!"
"Why go all the way here to sell such a standard drug?" Amelia wondered aloud as Asuka was served a glass filled to the brim with beer.
"Why not?" Asuka asked. "These Netherrealmers haven't seen junk like this before and if they have then it's Earthrealmers who died a long time ago."
"A good target audience," Amelia sighed.
"Why cook up something special for Demons?" Asuka expanded her point.
"You're right," Amelia admitted. "See? This is the clever thinking I missed!"
"Thanks," Asuka smirked faintly. "Always a nice change of pace to hang with morons."
"Easy there, tiger," Amelia shook her head. "I didn't go over your combat report."
"I killed motherfuckers," Asuka stated. "That's ten outta bloody ten no matter what."
"Cut up like you are though?"
"I'm sorry, Mommy, will you kiss my boo boo's better?!" Asuka asked in an overly sarcastic tone. "Please, it's part of the job."
"You make me worry," Amelia sighed.
"You go exploring Hell for fun, baby," Asuka pointed out as Amelia shrugged. "But I worry about you?"
"I'm not reckless," Amelia countered. "I don't think I can say the same for you these days."
"Regardless, your lazy ass can't judge me," Asuka continued, ignoring her legitimate concerns. She remembered Amelia's promise of being put in touch with a very important former Red Dragon. "Where's Mavado's bitch?!"
Asuka barely finished her sentence when a deep, rumbling laugh erupted from behind her. She slowly turned to see the tall figure of Malcolm Morrison stepping towards her. His demonic red skin seemed to absorb the dim light of the bar, and the ever-present smirk on his face only deepened as he approached the pair.
"That supposed to be calling out to me?" Malcolm asked, his mouth widening with a grin that exposed his pointy teeth.
Asuka couldn't resist making a quiet quip. "Well, you did answer it," she muttered, "so it must be your name."
"Is it now?" Malcolm repeated, his thick Scottish accent tinged with amusement. "Ach, lass, you've got a tongue sharper than your missus' blade, and I respect that."
"Thank you!" Asuka perked up. "Finally, someone who appreciates my thoughtful wording!"
"Do tell, which of yous is the bitch in your relationship?" Malcolm asked, his grin only growing larger.
Amelia finished her drink before speaking. "We are complete equ-"
"Her!" Asuka didn't hesitate to point at Amelia.
"Who are you calling a bitch?!" Amelia grabbed and squeezed her pointed finger. "One more word and I'll saw it off!"
"It's true love, folks!" Malcolm gestured to the dysfunctional couple before the rest of the bar, eyes already being drawn to their regular loud chatter.
"Sorry," Amelia apologised as she pushed Asuka away gently but not too gently. She approached Malcolm and the two shook hands. "Darling, this is Malcolm Morris."
"Asuka Asano," she introduced herself as Malcolm went to offer a handshake to her. "I don't shake hands."
"Fair enough, ma'am," Malcolm took no offense, his lanky arm withdrawing and his clawed hand hiding into the pocket of his trenchcoat. "I brought your bag, Mel."
"Cheers," she thanked him as she took her worn travel bag that'd be sitting in her room back.
"Wait a sec," Asuka stepped towards them. "Where is-"
"Oblivion!" Amelia shrieked in a cutesy voice as the head of a fiery Hellcat burst out of the open suitcase. "Did you miss Mommy?! Mommy missed you!"
"And I talk to her that way…" Asuka muttered to herself, albeit Malcolm managed to overhear her.
"It's quite a cycle, ay?
"Shut it," Asuka dismissed him. "Amy, why'd you keep the cat in your room?"
"She's a nightmare in public places," Amelia reminded her. "Needs to keep moving at all times." She turned and rubbed her head against Oblivion, enduring her extremely warm fur. "I still love you, Liv, yes I do!"
Oblivion responded with a content purr.
"Don't mean to interrupt, ladies, but can we get down to business?" Malcolm asked politely. "If what you says true, Mel, then I'm desperate to see it… to see him."
"Asuka's Red Dragon, like I said," Amelia rubbed lover's shoulder as she nodded. "Maybe you'll be better at properly explaining it all."
"It's a pleasure to finally see another Red Dragon after so long," he said respectfully.
"I'm unfortunately a bit of an anomaly," Asuka warned.
"No worries, I'd love to know what all the fuss is about," Malcolm turned to Asuka. "How can you get us home?"
"Your partner's led an operation down here in secret that's looking to regroup fallen Red Dragon," Asuka explained, turning away from her drink to avoid distracting her train of thought. "I guess he must've left some of our boys down here to spread word about the-"
"The stronghold," Malcolm nodded, having heard rumours.
"It's named after you, dude," Asuka revealed. "Fort Mal."
Malcolm smiled at the revelation. "Mavado always was a romantic."
"So you'd know other Red Dragons who ended up here," Amelia noted, "in order to know a stronghold for you guys might exist."
"A few of our people have also made it to the big city," Malcolm stretched his arms out, gesturing to Nekros as a whole. "They headed up north to look for it. Red Dragon banners should help guide the way."
"And you chose to stay here?" Asuka questioned.
Malcolm shrugged, his massive shoulders moving fluidly despite his size. "I stayed for the chatter, lassie. Nekros has ears everywhere if you're willing to listen. Figured I'd pick up more intel here than chasing ghosts up north."
"You've got some patience for this cesspit," Asuka muttered, taking another sip of her beer. "This hotel's falling apart."
"A mighty scrap with Mr. Moloch himself ought to do that," Malcolm recalled. "This place is actually a rehab centre, but I don't think the new owners give a toss about that part of the building."
"Rehab?!" Asuka spat out her drink as she burst into laughter. "I'm carrying meth whilst drinking pints. If this is what rehab's like back on Earth then sign my ass up!"
Amelia sighed as her hand sank into her cheek as she continued to lean on the bar.
"It's not rehab for addiction, lass, it's for cleansing your soul," Malcolm clarified. "I was one of the few pricks here who actually wanted that help, that was gonna be my path back to Earthrealm, but alas…"
"What happened to the old owner then?"
"Not a friend of the Oni regime, if that weren't obvious," Malcolm told her, letting out a sigh. "The old owner was most kind."
"Wouldn't call being racist kind," Amelia muttered.
"Ease off, Mellie, blame Lady Iris and her bastard of a father for that sort of oppression," Malcolm corrected her. "The owner's name was Mika, she's most inclusive, not her fault the city forbids Oni."
"Could've chose to not be Brotherhood of Shadow," Amelia sat up. "Oh well…"
"Ignore her, Mal, she'll chew your ear off with all the political bullshit," Asuka warned lightly.
"So sorry for wanting these Oni to see liberty," Amelia snapped sarcastically.
Asuka ignored her and finished her drink before standing up. "I'm bored, folks, can we head off to the fortress?"
Amelia rolled her eyes. "You and your fun."
Malcolm turned back to Asuka, his grin softening slightly. "Aye, let's focus. If Fort Mal, wow… I love saying that. Anyway, if it exists, it's a beacon for the rest of us stranded here. But you've got to understand, a place like that would've drawn more than Red Dragons. Whilst Oni are allowed in the city now, there's still plenty roaming outside… and let's not even get into Zombies."
"If Amelia's reputation as Hell's first social justice warrior is as known as it seems then we shouldn't have an issue with Oni," Asuka snickered.
"I roam this plane all the time, we'll be fine," Amelia assured the team. "But is Mavado really as organised as he's bigged up to be?"
"Even if he's left mere breadcrumbs, Mel, they'll be more than sufficient guidance," Malcolm promised, his faith fully in his lost lover.
"Wait wait wait!" Amelia looked at Asuka with a frustrated glare. "Don't you have a fucking teleporter?!"
"Oh shit!" Asuka suddenly remembered as she dug into her jacket to reveal the small contraption that continued to grow more common as the Red Dragon continued to manufacture them. "And actually it's called a PPG!"
"Powerpuff Girls?" Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"Uhh Portable Portal Generator… I think?" Asuka tried to recall what it stood for.
"No way did they call it that," Amelia refused to believe.
"Well it's not a teleporter, dumbass, it's a portal maker!" Asuka yelled, accidentally revealing the contraption to the entire bar.
"Dumbfuck!" Amelia fired back with the insults, grabbing her in a light headlock. "Why even go to Fort Mal when you've been carrying that the whole time?!"
"No need to throw her in the doghouse, Mel," Malcolm interrupted. "We need to head the way my mates went anyway, I want to make sure they're well."
"Also I don't think the portals are properly built at the fortress yet," Asuka claimed as Amelia released her. "Would be good to drop this off for anyone waiting to be picked up."
"If there's anyone," Amelia corrected, becoming doubtful. "Whatever, let's just head out."
"Finally!" Asuka cheered as Amelia threw some Koins the bartender's way before beginning to walk out, ready for the next adventure.
Hours passed in a blur of shifting terrain and oppressive heat, the jagged spires of Nekros and its towering walls shrinking into the distance behind them. Now, the group stood on the edge of the once crumbling Netherrealm highway, a road that burrowed into mountains and flattened the ground down to the floor of the plane on its long stretch all in order of aiding Netherrealmers with travelling across the first plane. Although it made the path easier, it was still a foreboding challenge. The highway had been layered with a new coat of concrete that helped conceal wear and tear from the past, one of Iris' many steps towards modernising the realm. The main challenge on this day was the traffic…
The highway was packed with a ceaseless tide of Oni marching in the opposite direction. A unique variety from all the subspecies approached including hulking Beasts, skinned and scrawny Fleshies, and the rush of the Oni Goblins as they ran at the forefront of the group. Together the Oni formed a sea of gnashing teeth, cracked horns, and bulging muscles. The ones that still had skin, ranging from a variety of colours, gleamed with sweat and grime under the flickering, hellish light of the plane. Some dragged massive weapons including rusted cleavers, jagged clubs, and crude axes that sparked against the ground as they moved, whilst others carried heavy packs stuffed with supplies, mortal food, or trophies from recent battles.
The Oni's guttural growls and snarls formed a discordant symphony, blending with the rhythmic clank of iron shackles bound to the wrists and ankles of a few chained prisoners who trudged in the center of the throng. Wagons, pulled by Oni Beasts, also took up space. The highway shook as a group of gigantic Oni Warlords marched from the sides of the highway, coming together as the mountain closed off.
Overhead, ash and smoke swirled, creating an oppressive shroud that amplified the heat radiating off the sea of bodies. Occasional eruptions of aggression punctuated the march with fights breaking out between Oni to push further into the queue, their massive fists colliding with sickening crunches that sent the smaller demons scurrying out of the way.
"This is insane," Asuka muttered, her voice barely audible over the din. She gripped her guns tightly, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of danger that might turn their way.
"Don't do anything!" Amelia ordered, immediately picking up on Asuka's uneasiness.
"Are they all heading to Nekros?" Asuka questioned, ignoring Amelia's plea.
"Looks like it," Amelia replied, her tone low and wary. She pulled Oblivion closer to her side, the Hellcat's fur bristling as it hissed softly at the passing throng. "Nekros won't fit them all for a while, but I've heard about some encampments being set up around the city walls."
"Great," Asuka said dryly. "Just what we need… more Oni."
"Keep your voice down!" Amelia hissed through gritted teeth, her frustration growing.
Malcolm chuckled darkly. "Stick close, lassie, they might want a bite."
"Of my fine ass?" Asuka looked up at him with a grin. "Shoot, I can't blame them there."
"Just keep moving forward," Amelia instructed as they got in a line to minimise the amount of space they took up, Fireheart at the front as she picked up Oblivion. "Don't you worry, baby, I've gotcha."
They continued marching forward, their heads down as they ignored the snarls of the Oni horde that continued to pass with no end in sight. They overheard their enthusiastic chatter, many excited about the new rulership in the Netherrealm whilst others howled for food. Malcolm looked over to a pair of hungry Oni Beasts, their conversation grabbing his interest.
"I'm starvin'," one Oni Beast grumbled, its voice like rocks grinding together. Its maw gaped open, revealing jagged teeth stained with dried blood. "Ain't had a proper meal in days. Just scraps!"
Another Oni Beast let out a rumbling laugh, its massive shoulders shaking with amusement. "Still got meat on your mind, eh? Don't you worry, we've still got those idiots who went chasin' that dragon-like fortress, remember?"
"Keep your voice down," the first Oni Beast whispered. "I'm not keen on sharing our bounty."
"There'll be plenty more to come," the second Oni Beast reassured their friend.
"Not at Nekros," the other Oni shook their head. "There'll mainly be Demons."
"They don't taste so bad," a third Oni chimed in. "They have some spice to 'em!"
The hungry Oni sighed. "Regardless, we'll end up feasting on all these Demons near Nekros until they start accepting us. Then what?"
"Some long travels are ahead for some of us," the other Oni Beast snickered. "Since you're so eager to feed, perhaps you'll be a scavenger for the tribe."
"Where'd you put those Demons anyway?" the starving Oni questioned. "Let me have a bite… a couple fingers at least?"
"No can do," the Oni shook their head in refusal.
"Yes," Malcolm spoke up as he aimed his Tommy gun at the Oni. "You sure can."
"Mal, what do you think you're doing?!" Amelia asked as all the nearby Oni turned to face the Red Dragon Demon. "Malcolm!"
"Answer your friend's question," Malcolm ordered the Oni Beast. "Where are those Demons?"
The Oni Beast grunted with frustration. "Why do you care, imp?"
"Back off before we eat you too," one Oni threatened.
"I could go for a bite," an Oni Goblin declared as they tried to scuttle towards Malcolm only for Asuka to hold a gun to their peculiarly shaped head.
"For fuck sake…" Amelia muttered under her breath.
As the Oni began to circle and close in on the trio, a powerful warrior began to push through the crowd of fellow Oni, the attention of even the much larger Oni Beasts shifting to gaze down at her. Amon had arrived. Her lean, sinewy frame that was covered in battle scars, moved with precision as she carved a path forward.
"What's the hold up?!" Amon questioned, standing straight and seeming tall despite her small size. "Fireheart."
"A friend of yours?" Asuka asked as her eyes glanced at Amelia.
"The Oni Senshi," Amelia acknowledged her status. "I'm sorry, Amon, my friends here are clearly incapable of keeping things level headed."
"Fuckin' rude," Asuka scoffed as Malcolm ignored her words, his focus locked onto the Oni Beast who mentioned the capture of his fellow former Red Dragons.
"You are," Amelia remarked before stepping towards Amon and gesturing towards Mal. "Some of your men have taken friends of his."
"Food is food," the Oni Beast claimed whilst Amon stared at him, the gaze as sharp as her skeletal weapons.
"One more word, lad," Malcolm warned, his tone of voice far more stoic than usual. "One more word."
"Don't do anything!" Amelia demanded. "Look, Amon, just order their release and we'll be on our way."
"I've given strict orders to leave regulars alone," Amon claimed, clutching her sword and shield tightly. "Your friend's friends must've provoked them."
The pair of Oni Beasts nodded. "Of course," one exclaimed. "Those imps hurled insults at us!"
"Bullshit," Malcolm rolled his eyes, his aim still precise.
"Even if that's true, eating them seems like harsh punishment," Amelia pointed out.
"It's a harsh realm," Amon shrugged. "They're Demons anyway, they'll help sustain my people and then reform."
"Not these ones," Malcolm shook his head. "They're not natives."
"Non-native Demons?" Amon was surprised. "That's quite rare."
"That group must've done a lot of sin," an Oni exclaimed. "Only to become a race that acts all superior!"
"What makes you say that?" Asuka questioned.
"It is said that to transform into a Demon requires you to reside in the Netherrealm and evade all forms of torture both mental and physical," Amon recounted the tales she had heard, Asuka's eyes widening as she listened. "To adapt to the Netherrealm so fast makes you dangerous."
"Glad you've noticed," Malcolm shrugged.
"Maybe you should let them go," Amon advised Malcolm, refusing to give the prisoners up. "Find a new group of crooks to join."
"That doesn't work for me," Malcolm shook his head. "Release them or many of your people will need their bodies reformed."
Amon's gaze flickered to Malcolm for a brief moment, calculating the weight of his words. The Oni Beast beside her shifted uncomfortably but kept his eyes trained on the group. The tension in the air thickened, a palpable heaviness that neither side seemed willing to break.
"It's a few bodies!" Asuka shouted out. "I know for sure that's hardly enough to feed you fat fucks, why-"
"Be quiet!" Amon growled at Asuka before turning to Amelia. "Fireheart, control your plaything!"
"Plaything?!" Asuka gasped.
"Quiet," Amelia demanded to Asuka through a harsh whisper, allowing Amon's attention to return to Malcolm.
"You dare threaten us when this realm is now our domain?" Amon's voice was colder than ice, her stance unwavering as she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword. "Your friend seems to forget where he stands, among my people."
"They're both impolite twats," Amelia admitted, once again trying to apologise on their behalf. "Most people in the Netherrealm are!"
"It doesn't excuse such behaviour," Amon shook her head.
"It's not worth it over a few Demons," Amelia continued to negotiate. "Let them go and we'll be on our way, we can avoid violence entirely."
"Perhaps…" Amon considered the proposal.
"Perhaps we can feast on you all," the Oni Beast finished her sentence, hunger getting the better of them. "Let's eat!"
Malcolm opened fire immediately after, blowing the starving Oni's brains out. Their friend charged at Mal, but he leapt over the large Oni Beast, sniping him in the back of the skull on the way down. He landed on his feet, ready to gun down a few Oni Goblins who tried rushing at him. One Oni leapt onto Mal's back, Asuka quickly reacting by headshotting them with their body slumping off of Malcolm's now blood stained coat.
"Stop them!" Amon ordered the fellow warriors that marched along the highway.
"I'm so sorry, Amon!" Amelia apologised as she ran into the middle of Asuka and Malcolm as they continued firing at anything that moved, guiding them to the edge of the highway. They leapt off with reckless abandon, Amelia hugging Oblivion tightly as they landed on the side of the mountain that the highway dug into, sliding down the sloped terrain.
Tearing a chunk out of the highway with relative ease, an Oni Beast hurled a giant rock at the group. They had thrown too hard and the rock went over all targets, slamming into the mountainside with great force, cracking into the stone. This created a makeshift wall that blocked Amelia as she slammed shoulder first into the rock as it stuck out of the mountainside. Oblivion dug her claws into her shoulders as she reached out to grab Asuka as she tumbled down behind her, pulling her into her arms.
"You alright?" Amelia asked with genuine concern.
"I'm fine," Asuka assured her. "I'm just glad I wasn't the cause of a fight for once."
Malcolm Morris managed to dig the pointy tip of his Demon tail into the mountainside, slowing his descent. He aimed up, unloading a round of his drug magazine on any Oni that tried to slide down alongside them. Meanwhile, Amelia reached into her tattered backpack, rummaging for a tool that could aid them.
"Aha!" Amelia exclaimed as she pulled out a pair of small ice axes, useful hiking tools for scaling the side of a mountain. "Take one, baby!"
"I'm not mountain climbing!" Asuka refused as she glared up at the mountainside that became progressively narrower the higher her eyes went.
"We've got to do something, lassie!" Malcolm yelled as he began reloading his gun, several Oni getting closer now.
"C'mon!" Amelia shouted as she pulled herself up, ignoring her injured shoulder. "Let's go, Asuka!"
"Fuck my life…" Asuka groaned before reluctantly following Amelia as they began crawling back up the mountainside, using the hiking tools to prevent slipping down.
Amelia moved with haste, having traversed dangerous terrain on a near daily basis. She began edging to the right, the opposite way from where they had leapt down. Her logic was that if they could make it around the mountain then they'd manage to get back on the highway bridge and avoid the Oni-filled tunnel. The only concern was that the hordes of Oni continued for many miles. Amelia just hoped they could blend in with unsuspecting Oni to escape the ones that Malcolm and Asuka had aggravated.
After smashing the barrel of his gun against an Oni's jaw, Malcolm revealed a grappling gun from one of his many deep pockets. He shot the harpoon attached to the end of the device and it stabbed into the rocks, allowing him to pull along the rope to reach Asuka and Amelia. Oni continued to blindly leap off the mountain after them, but they all found themselves tumbling down the bottom. Amon watched on, irritated by the incident, she looked up at the Oni Warlords that marched in the desolate valley ahead. Grabbing a hollowed out horn that was tied to her armoured belt, Amon blew on it to unleash a loud vibration in a thunderous battle cry, alerting the giants ahead.
"Shit…" Amelia swore as she watched the Oni Warlord's collectively look down at them. The closest one wore a loincloth with large hooks that had human-sized cages dangle down from them, revealing the location of the prisoners that Malcolm had been so desperate to free.
"That's the one!" Malcolm pointed at them, filled with determination to aid his comrades.
The trio reached the other end of the mountainside, but when they reached out towards the highway bridge, an Oni Warlord placed a hand in their way with surprising precision. Amelia, filled with frustration, grabbed her chainsword and began revving the saw. Even on the awkwardly sloped terrain, Amelia ran alongside it and perfectly sliced into the wall-sized hand, slicing off the Oni Warlord's fingers.
"Saw 'em off, baby!" Asuka cheered her beloved on, having waited a long while to see her let loose again.
The Oni Warlord pulled back, roaring in pain as they clutched their giant hand. The cages attached to him rattled violently, smashing the prisoners back and forth into the iron bars. The trio reached the other side of the highway, but Amelia's violence had angered even the Oni on the other side. One Oni Beast wrapped their thick arms around her, Asuka quickly reacted by putting a bullet in each of their three eyes. They kept running, Amon trying to push through the crowd to get to the other tunnel. Another Oni Beast went to block them, but Amelia and Asuka both slid through their legs whilst Malcolm jabbed the tip of his harpoon into the Oni's heart.
"Stay back, everybody!" Amelia barked as she continued waving her active chainsword around. "I don't want to hurt you!"
After an Oni Goblin got too curious and leapt at the shiny weapon, only to be gruesomely dissected, did most of the other Oni step out the way, smart enough to identify the threat. Some warriors still made one last effort to stop the trio, however, forming a line as the Oni Warlords began catching up from the sidelines.
"We've gotta keep moving!" Amelia warned as she went to saw through an Oni Beast that stood in her path, the blade sliding off the round armour that protected their rotund stomach. "Bloody Hell!"
"Amy, those giant ones are catching up!" Asuka pointed up to them. "What should we do?!"
"Ask Mal, his dumbass got us in this mess!" Amelia yelled angrily.
"Settle down, Englishwoman," Malcolm tried to relieve some tension. "I'll come up with something…"
"Now!" Amelia demanded as Malcolm gazed off blanky, deep in thought.
One Oni suddenly threw a rock at one of the warriors that blocked the path. "Oi!" they shouted as more Oni rushed at the warriors. "That's Fireheart! Leave her alone!"
Despite the altercation, Amelia Fireheart's respectful status amongst the Oni still left her with many loyal allies of the species. Soon a brawl broke out on the bridge between the Oni. Pure chaos as Oni Goblins and Fleshies were hurled around whilst Oni Beasts were dogpiled on. Despite the craziness of the situation, a path forward was present for the trio to keep running. Just in time as the Oni Warlord who had their hand wounded badly by Amelia, stood right beside them. Using their one healthy hand, they slammed hard into the bridge, unbothered by any fellow Oni they squashed in the process of breaking a piece off. The trio had evaded the hand though, and they kept sprinting ahead, not wanting to be crushed or flung to a grim death.
"What now?!" Asuka panted.
"Keep pushin' forward!" Malcolm yelled, turning back to fire at the Oni Warlord.
"No shit, Sherlock!" Amelia snapped. "That's your great plan?!"
"They won't stop following us!" Asuka shouted as she began firing bullets at the Oni Warlord too, but they felt like small insect bites to the giant.
"You caused all this shit, Mal, you deal with that Warlord!" Amelia once again made another demand, grinding her teeth with rage.
"I'm sorry, Mel, but don't get your knickers in a twist!" Malcolm began aiming his grappling hook at the Oni Warlord. "You lassies keep moving, I'll ride this sodding monster!"
"They're not monsters, dick!" Amelia tried to argue but Malcolm had already impaled the hook into a meaty thigh of the Oni Warlord and was being pulled into the air towards them.
"Save the ranting for Fort Mal!" Asuka yelled as she pushed her forward, seeing more Oni Warlords pursuing them in the distance.
"If it even exists!" Amelia quipped before continuing to run, her feet stomping with anger despite her agile motions.
Once Malcolm was clinging onto the Oni Warlord's leg, he began climbing up to the cloth they wore, pulling on long strands of leg hair to make his ascent. The Oni Warlord grew more frustrated, thrashing their body around in a violent spin which caused the giant to stagger themself. Stumbling back, the Oni Warlord smashed through part of the highway bridge which caused smaller Oni to plummet to the ground below.
Despite this, Malcolm held on tight as he reached their loincloth. Using the thick material as a rope, Malcolm swung towards the rusty and jagged hooks that held equally disgusting cages. Building momentum on his swing, Mal released and grabbed onto the bars to the cage his friends were being thrown around within.
"Mal, I knew you'd come," one Demon exclaimed, a large bearded Demon draped in old yet imposing armour stolen from a Nekros guard. "These ladies were starting to doubt you!"
"Really?" Malcolm turned to the side of the armoured man to see a pair of Demons, one draped in rags that tried to mimic a uniform whilst the other's body was wrapped around by wings that were a blend of crimson and ash colours.
"Hush, Draugr," the winged Demon spoke as her orange eyes glowed at the large warrior. "We simply saw no way of you getting up here, Mr. Morris!"
"I had some help, Zephyra," Malcolm shrugged whilst still clinging to the bars. "Is everyone alright?"
"Of course," Zephyra confirmed whilst Draugr nodded firmly.
The other woman sighed before speaking up. "I'll be fine once we're out of this cage."
"Let's save the reunion party for later then, Sofiya," Malcolm agreed as he began rummaging through his pockets for a lock pick.
"Just break it off!" Draugr shouted, eager for some destruction. "I was almost able to rip off the rusty block with my own hands!"
Malcolm chuckled before lifting his gun and slamming the heavy drum magazine against the lock repeatedly until it snapped off.
"Look out!" Zephyra warned, a shadow casting over the group.
The Oni Warlord's hand swatted down, smacking Malcolm in the back and pressing him against the iron bars. The force flung the prison cage to the side, swinging upwards before being yanked back down like an aggressive pendulum. Despite this, Malcolm hung onto the bars, gasping for breath after being crushed by the Oni Warlord's giant hand.
The next time the cage swung up, Zephyra burst out of the now unlocked cage door. She twisted her body as her wings unfurled. Her hair was messy, the natural black intertwined with dyed streaks of fiery colours. Red, orange and yellow strands flickered in the Netherrealm's stale air as she soared up. Zephyra clutched onto the Oni Warlord's neck and began repeatedly stabbing at it with her small but sharp claws. Blood drew immediately, but it wasn't deep enough to slit the giant's throat.
Draugr, relishing the fight, laughed heartily. "Now this is a real battle!" He yelled as lunged forward, planting his boot onto the edge of the cage and launching himself out of the cage and at the Oni Warlord. His stolen armour clanked as he grabbed onto one of the Oni's thick arms and began crawling up with nothing but his bare hands.
Sofiya stayed in the cage, logically concluding that the bars were the safest thing to hold onto whilst the other Demons dealt with the threat itself. She watched as Malcolm shot a grapple hook into the Oni Warlord's neck, pulling himself up to catch the giant with an uppercut to the jaw.
The Oni laughed. "Is that your best?"
"Cocky prick!" Malcolm yelled, voice fading into an echo as gravity began pulling him back down. He unloaded his drum magazine into the Oni Warlord, but they hardly reacted.
Drawing a knife from his pocket, Malcolm swiftly stabbed it into the Oni Warlord's leg. It slowed his descent, the blade slicing along the Oni's flesh. The cut continued to grow for several feet before the blade snapped off. By the time that it did, Malcolm had already retrieved his hook and he shot the grappling gun once more.
The Oni Warlord was busy trying to swat Zephyra away as she continued to spin around their large head, unleashing repeated scratches that were beginning to irritate the giant. With perfect aim, Malcolm launched the grappling hook again and latched onto their left arm, the same one that Draugr was fearlessly climbing.
"Let me borrow that rope chucker!" Draugr demanded, pointing to the grappling hook.
"Are you sure?" Malcolm asked, unsure if a Viking would be a suitable carrier of such a tool.
"It has Thor's reach, of course I'm sure!" Draugr's confidence was unbreakable, he took the grappling hook without full permission and immediately pointed it at the Oni Warlord's face. "Face me, foul monster!"
Draugr's eyes gleamed with madness and excitement as he fired the grappling hook deep into the Oni Warlord's cheek before riding the rope up to meet the giant face to face. Draugr swiftly took the hook and with the same enthusiasm as he would with a battleaxe, he stabbed it deep into one of their pupiless eyes and then the other. The Oni Warlord was immediately blinded and they began swinging their arms wildly, smacking their own face in an attempt to squash Draugr.
Zephyra quickly landed on the Oni's head and flapped their wings together in a rapid blur of red and black. This managed to create a gust of wind fierce enough to hold the gigantic hand back before it could crush Draugr. Her fireproof wings began sparking before a wave of flames was unleashed, scorching the Oni's hand.
Whilst Zephyra held the Oni Warlord off, Draugr threw the grappling hook back down to Malcolm and the Viking then used his pair strong hands to grab onto the Oni Warlord's eyelid and pull back like removing carpet from a floor.
The Oni Warlord howled in pain as Dragur mercilessly began peeling his skin off. He continued to peel it off into a long string of thick skin, dropping down onto the Oni's bony sternum. From there, he snapped the torn skin off and fastened it around the Oni Warlord's neck. He then tugged on it once it was tied firmly, the material of the skin firm enough to strangle the giant without snapping off.
The Oni Warlord began choking and they reached out to their neck, only for Zephyra to divebomb one hand whilst surrounded in flames combined with the wind powers of an Avien. Her wings were sharp enough to cut through the giant's hands. A clean fiery cut occurred and the Oni Warlord grunted in anguish, not enough air to scream. After landing, Zephyra immediately took flight again to dismember the other hand. The Oni Warlord was left defenseless, but that didn't stop Draugr from continuing to strangle the Oni until he heard a violent snap…
The Oni Warlord was dead. Their body slowly began falling. Zephyra flew up, grabbing Draugr by his bushy beard that was a mixture of black, red and orange. Whilst she carried the Viking down, Malcolm grappled to the cage and held onto Sofiya, preparing to carry her to the ground below in a somewhat safer way.
"Don't," Sofiya shook her head before pointing to another Oni Warlord who was already lumbering over them due to how long it took to kill the first one. "Grapple to that one."
"You're nuts, lass," Malcolm remarked.
"I'm the sanest of us here," Sofiya spoke coldly. "We need to eliminate that one ASAP, the others will be too far to catch us afterwards."
"What about you?" Malcolm asked.
Sofiya smirked before falling back, knowing Zephyra would catch her with her incredibly fast flight. The group looked up to see Malcolm leaping from the cage and grappling into the chest of the next Oni Warlord. Draugr was quick to cheer him on.
"What did you tell him?" Zephyr asked as she let Sofiya down on the ashy surface.
"That one has to be killed, it's gotten too close," Sofiya insisted as she dusted herself off. "Go give him a hand."
"Well you haven't left me much of a choice," Zephyra groaned before taking to the dark skies of the Netherrealm.
Flying over the Oni Warlord, Zephyra controlled her molting which caused feathers to drop down. They acted like bombs, the fiery feathers exploding upon landing on the giant. Quickly drawing the Oni's attention, Zephyra dove down at them at such a speed that the Oni gasped in shock. Zephyra saw this as an opening, falling into their mouth where she was instantly swallowed.
Zephyra clung to the walls of the Oni Warlord's spacious pharynx, heating up her hands in the process. The Oni could feel their body boiling from the insane, only for a beam of fire to melt through their neck seconds later. Zephyra spun around in a rapid cycle, slicing the Oni Warlord's head clean off and leaving the smell of burnt flesh behind as she flew back to her allies.
"That's how it's done," Draugr said with a laugh, wiping the blood from his face. "Between my hands and your magic, we could tear through this whole realm!"
"I used to be more powerful," Zephyra remarked, a common complaint that her friends had heard many times. Her old magic grew weak in the Netherrealm and soon enough it was replaced with the firebending that most Demons naturally possessed. "Fire magic is a bore. It's too common." She continued to complain. "You want some true power with fire? Wait until we see Daegon."
"It has been quite some time," Draugr reminisced fondly. "I can't wait to get back."
"Then maybe we should get moving before one of you savages has to dissect another Oni?" Sofiya suggested.
"Lead the way, Commander," Draugr replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"We can walk along the bottom of the highway," Malcolm decided as the group began to continue north.
"We'll still have to climb up again," Sofia warned. "We found the stronghold, it's on a mountain directly ahead."
"We didn't walk back far before being ambushed by some cowardly Oni!" Draugr elaborated, annoyed that he had managed to be captured. "I wouldn't mind getting back on the highway and scraping with the rest of them!"
"We are not doing that," Sofiya refused.
"You shouldn't have turned back for me," Malcolm told them. "I was going to catch up."
"There was nobody there besides some Oni squatters," Zephyra recalled. "But the banners had our clan's unmistakable sigil of Caro."
"I assume the women you brought have some means of exit," Sofiya presumed but she stopped in her tracks to turn to Mal. "Right?"
"One's a current Red Dragon member," Malcolm reassured her, "and she has some sorta portal device."
"Let's hope they've evaded the Oni," Sofiya said before she continued walking.
The group pressed forward, navigating the desolate ruins beneath the broken highway. Rubble and jagged rocks jutted from the cracked roads above, and the eerie sound of Oni lingered over their heads constantly. They moved swiftly, avoiding any unnecessary fights, though Draugr grumbled about missing out on more Oni to slay. As they reached the base of the mountain, the true challenge began. The climb was tough and Malcolm's grappling hook proved invaluable, helping the whole group scale steep sections, while Zephyra used her wings to scout ahead and guide them. Draugr, ever the brute, relied on sheer strength to hoist himself upward, while Sofiya methodically picked the safest paths.
Hours passed but eventually the Red Dragon stronghold stood before them. Dark stone walls formed a looming castle of sorts, decorated solely by the symbol of their clan. The logo meant nothing to the average Netherrealmer, but to loyal members of the clan? It meant everything.
Sat on a step before an iron gate that led to the inside of Fort Mal, Amelia and Asuka were sitting down sharing a cigarette. Amelia gazed up at the group before nudging Asuka with a light elbow.
"Ah!" Asuka gasped as she looked up. "You finally made it!"
"Didn't mean to keep you ladies waiting," Malcolm apologised.
"Don't worry, we kept each other entertained," Asuka reassured him as Amelia blushed. "Very entertaining."
"Anyway!" Amelia spoke up as she turned to Malcolm's friends. "I'm Amelia and this thing is Asuka."
"Which of you is the Red Dragon?" Draugr asked.
"That'd be me," Asuka showed off, only to be forced into an aggressive handshake by Draugr.
"It is a pleasure, madam!" Draugr cheered enthusiastically as she shook Asuka around.
"You're all former members I take it?" Amelia presumed.
"Not me," Sofiya sighed. "I'm looking to join."
"Why?" Amelia asked, genuinely curious.
"I don't think she'll want to answer th-" Zephyra tried to dismiss the question on Sofiya's behalf, but Sofiya raised a hand to silence her.
Sofiya glanced up at the towering gates of the Red Dragon stronghold before exhaling slowly, as if gathering her thoughts. Even the stale, warm air of the Netherrealm made her feel colder than usual, but the weight of her story warmed her with a familiar bitterness as she ran it through her mind.
She turned to face Amelia and Asuka, her eyes narrowing slightly in focus. "Before I found my way here, I served as a commander in the Soviet Union."
"A commie, huh?" Asuka judged Sofiya which made her clench her fists tightly. It had taken mere minutes for Asuka Asano to get on another person's nerves.
"Ignore her," Amelia instructed Sofiya who gave a firm nod to the couple.
Sofiya turned and gestured to Zephyra. "This here is Zephyra, a great sorceress," she introduced her.
"Former sorceress," Zephyra sighed. "Once we're out of here I can try to relearn my lost abilities."
"She was powerful enough to show me what was happening in Earthrealm after my death," Sofiya continued her story, recalling past events. "She showed me visions of the world after I... after I died. Of the soldiers I commanded, my unit. We fought in the Soviet-Afghan War… against enemies, against the elements, and, ultimately, against our own government when we came home."
"The USSR fell apart after that war, no?" Amelia tried to recall, having some knowledge of Earthrealm history even if she was more enamoured by foreign realms.
Sofiya paused, her mind wandering elsewhere. She thought about her comrades. She could still see the faces of those men, the camaraderie they shared, the loyalty they held for one another. But all that was lost when the war ended. She then nodded at Amelia slowly in a display of reluctant admittance.
"We fought and bled for our country. But when the war ended, and the Soviet Union collapsed, we came back to nothing. We were abandoned, forgotten. Veterans, once honored for their sacrifice, became... unwanted ghosts. The government didn't want us, society didn't care. We were dismissed like we were nothing."
"You'll find many Red Dragons who can relate to that," Asuka promised her.
Sofiya's already clenched fists began to shake violently, the anger still raw after all these years. "Some of my soldiers fell into despair. Others tried to stay sharp, to find a purpose, but it wasn't easy. Then, one by one, my unit turned to the only thing left: organised crime. The Russian Mafia. They were the only people in that country left who saw my soldiers for what they truly were. Warriors, more efficient, more disciplined, more lethal than anyone else in the underworld, or so I thought. That's when the Red Dragon took notice."
Sofiya's expression softened a little, her gaze drifting upward as she continued. "All the while I was trapped here, gone MIA for a cause that abandoned us."
"What makes the Red Dragon so appealing to you?" Amelia had to ask, still being slightly unconvinced by the clan.
"From what Zephyra has told and shown me, the Red Dragon aren't like the rest. I don't need to be a member to know that the Red Dragon are criminals with dignity, honour, respect, and more good qualities that you can't find an ounce of from the average criminal scum," she praised the clan, fully confident in them despite not being a member just yet. "Most importantly, they accepted my unit. I'll be forever grateful for that reason alone. The Red Dragon gave them a home, a place where they weren't just forgotten ghosts, but valued soldiers."
"I'm glad I could reveal this to you," Zephyra smiled as the close friends shook hands.
"When are we headin' home?" Draugr asked, growing impatient after Sofiya's lengthy story.
"I can set the portal down this instant," Asuka leapt off the step and to her feet. "Say goodbye to Hell, folks."
"At long last," Malcolm let out a sigh of relief as Asuka headed inside to plant the portal device that was already connected to Charred Mountain on the other end. "Been a long few decades."
"Try a thousand years," Draugr remarked.
"How about a few thousand?" Zephyra asked, the group treating it like a competition.
"It's ready!" Asuka shouted, her voice echoing from the empty stone stronghold.
The others soon entered Fort Mal, the group moved through the darkened halls of the fortress. The interior was completely empty, just stone coated in dark shadows. The floor was littered with corpses of the Oni who had been squatting at the empty stronghold upon their arrival, but that was all. As they walked, Sofiya couldn't help but glance around, her eyes sharp, as if still expecting enemies to emerge from the shadows. Eventually, they reached the center of the stronghold, where the portal device stood, a shimmering vortex of energy pulsing brightly in the dim light. Asuka stood by it, a confident grin on her face, ready to send them back to Earthrealm and away from the desolate grip of the Netherrealm.
"Follow me!" Asuka exclaimed as she eagerly ran through the portal first, excited on showing the clan the success of her mission. Amelia giggled to herself, amused by her girlfriend, before entering the portal.
The others soon followed, ready to return home.