With caution, a Brotherhood of Shadow spy entered the Spire of Shinnok from the portal system that connected the imposing structure with Quan Chi's Fortress which was also both impressive and intimidating. What was more anxiety inducing for the spy was the person that he was about to disturb, Lord Shinnok. Knocking carefully the spy was let through the doors into the throne room by Shinnok's closest general, Belokk.
"What news do you bring?" Belokk asked.
"Zaterra has been brought back," the spy informed him with an obvious nervousness that was audible in his voice, though was rather relieved that he was answering to the more forgiving and understanding Belokk than the Fallen Elder God himself. "It is urgent that Lord Shinnok is informed of this immediately as-"
"Urgent?" Shinnok overheard the spy from within his throne made of bone. "Do tell me, boy."
"Y-yes, s-sir…" he began stuttering much to Shinnok's displeasure and disgust.
"Sir?!" Shinnok loudly repeated. "Infidel! I am no mere 'sir', I am your lord! your ruler! your master!"
"S-sorry… it won't happen again." He promised.
"If you value not ending up as a splattered paste across my spire's walls then I am certain that it will not be a reoccurring act," Shinnok warned with a certainty that his minion would follow through on such specific and minor demands which held serious consequences. "Now speak, and address me correctly, minion."
"Y-yes, Lord Sh-Shinnok," they passed the test. "Zaterra has been restored… it is a realm tha-"
"I know what Zaterra is!" Shinnok snapped. "And I'm all the more acquainted with its reptilian residents."
"Y-you truly are a m-man… lord… of vast wisdom." The spy nervously complimented in a desperate effort to regain Shinnok's favour, if he even possessed it before offending him that is.
"You needn't remind me," Shinnok instructed with blatant irritance of the pathetic efforts that were being made to compliment him on his strengths that he was already vividly aware of. "I know."
"O-of course y-you would." The spy remarked which came off as a sarcastic comment to Shinnok.
"How dare you!" Shinnok's voice boomed throughout the sizable and frightening throne room.
"Wh-what did I do?!" the spy responded in both fear and confusion. However, this crystal clear display of genuine bafflement from the spy did not stop Shinnok from invoking his wrath.
"You dare suggest that I am arrogant?!" This was what Shinnok had interpreted the spy's comment to be an attempt of. "I shall have you know that my self praise comes from my actually respectable allies and their own opinions on me!"
"S-sorry," the spy swiftly apologized as he began begging on his knees, pleading to be spared of the Dark Lord's violent wrath. "It was a mistake!"
"Yes, you seem to be making plenty of those." Shinnok replied as he called upon his amulet and blasted it into the chest of the spy which hurled him across the room in quick succession. The spy was flung so far that he collided with the wall across the lengthy throne room, many bones shattering on impact with the night black bricks.
"Lord Shinnok," Belokk finally approached his master, having been watching the spectacle unfold from afar in the doorway. "May I present a suggestion?"
"Of course, Belokk," Shinnok granted. "Only you and Quan Chi do I give such a blessing to do so."
"And for that I am eternally grateful," Belokk responded with a quick bow to solidify his respect to his master. "But please may you go easy on the troops?"
"Fear is the supreme form of control." Shinnok stated.
"Indeed," Belokk agreed. "But you're too excellent at evoking fear upon your servants."
"Why thank you," Shinnok accepted this compliment. "However, I fail to see how one can evoke too much fear."
"It may have a negative impact on the performance of your servants and our soldiers alike." Belokk explained his personal issue with this behaviour. "Though I always trust in your outlook of things and will willingly comply with whatever your belief on handling this is."
"A negative impact?" Shinnok repeated as he couldn't figure out what exactly Belokk's point meant. "Elaborate."
"Too much fear of you can lead to effects such as stress on them," Belokk detailed just as Shinnok had commanded for him to do so. "This could heavily damage workrate whether that be occurring in wars or simply just doing your bidding no matter the extent."
"I see." Shinnok began considering what Belokk had just pointed out. "I shall dwell upon what you have thoughtfully brought to my attention, Belokk."
"Thank you, my lord," Belokk replied as he bowed again. "Just one final thing if you don't mind, my lord?"
"Speak, Belokk." Shinnok permitted.
"Please ease up on the violence towards the servants, my lord," Belokk bravely requested. "It links to my points I just presented and it's simply unnecessary for this spy to now have to take time off in order to heal."
"I understand, Belokk," Shinnok noted the suggestion. "Bring that minion forth."
"Yes, my lord." Belokk complied despite the strange command which Belokk assumed Shinnok was about to heal the spy as he began helping him walk forward back to the floor in front of Shinnok's throne.
"Watch." Shinnok further instructed Belokk who watched as the Dark Lord summoned a pollaxe made of bone and plunged the axe part through the upper body of the spy, dragging the axe up by it's attached pole to cut clean through the middle of the poor Demons head and freeing the menacing weapon from being lodged deep within the minion's body.
"Was that necessary?" Belokk asked as he watched sadly as the spy's corpse began decomposing at a rapid rate, his soul already being transferred to a new location in the Netherrealm where his body would reform as good as new.
"He will return by the time his presence is actually desired," Shinnok informed him to which Belokk nodded in understanding. "Reformation is a quicker process than naturally healing."
"I can't argue with that logic," Belokk admitted. "I shan't take away any more of your time, my lord."
"Your presence is never a bother, Belokk." Shinnok assured his close ally.
"Thank you, my lord," Belokk was appreciative of Shinnok's generous approval of him. "I must head to that blasted settlement belonging to the Oni… your messenger hasn't returned yet."
Shinnok sighed heavily. "Those wretched creatures can't even follow a simple request of mine," he uttered in frustration. "Drahmin needs to get his brutes… and perhaps himself in line."
"I can inform them of your displeasure." Belokk offered.
"Do so," Shinnok instructed. "Though remain cautious and be careful, Belokk, for those Oni may mistake you for their supper."
"I will, my lord." Belokk stated as he noted his master's advice. He took a third and final bow before being on his way with Shinnok saying his farewells to the departing Demon.
With Belokk gone, Shinnok summoned a magical piece of paper that had been blessed by the Fallen Elder God himself. Despite most of his extreme abilities that came from being an Elder God now long gone, few specific unexplainable powers were retained. Such as this ability to turn pieces of paper into the likes such detailed and eye popping maps that came across as spectacles to those unused to the sight of such fascinating things. In this case his power was being applied to create a list of all the names of the deceased and their cause of death that was being constantly updated. In addition to this, Shinnok had an extra list presenting the sins of the deceased.
Shinnok then scrolled through the seemingly endless list of names, he had the patience to do so considering the lack of entertainment the Netherrealm offered. Shinnok soon finally landed on the name of his messenger who had indeed been feasted on by the Oni which confirmed his and Belokk's suspicions. Shinnok knew he needn't check this but he still did so out of boredom and seeking confirmation for him to rant about in his head to himself. His rage was further fueled as much to the Dark Lord's annoyance, Shinnok's list of the deceased was filled with the original cause of ones first death and then what would vary from mere minutes to several hours later their name repeating again and being stated to be a victim of the Oni who waited to savagely torture and feast upon those newly reformed in Hell. The Oni were terrorizing his realm and he couldn't stand the thought of such.
Hatred was an understatement to Shinnok's detest for this gathering of Oni that had been affecting his control of the recently deceased souls that had reformed in the Netherrealm for ages now. Their leader, Drahmin, was still impressive to Shinnok considering his surprising intellect and ability to lead what Shinnok considered mindless beasts though he still despised even Drahmin for he managed to arrange this alliance and force of a mass of Oni that had been plaguing the Netherrealm for far too long now.
The worst part was that these bundles of Oni usually gathered at the entrances of every plane in the Netherrealm... except for the bottom plane that was specially reserved for the very few evilest to ever live amongst the realms. Hell's structure had nine planes that were infinite in length though rather limited in height like a wide hotel with each dastardly plane being a different floor. At the front of each plane was what was known as the infamous Sea of Blood. The sea's design was unclear for the ferry that sailed across it was somehow able to reach all nine planes despite the blood levels being topped at the first plane and only being reachable to those trapped within the realm from the top plane and no other for said entrance was sealed off by unbreakable mounds of obsidian. What was clear was that the ferry that sailed the sea would frequently make trips to the planes while being led by the ferryman known as Kharon. The Oni waited to spot the ferry so that they would know when a new haul of souls was being brought and scattered throughout the Netherrealm, eagerly waiting for the ferry's arrival so that they could begin their hunt for the fresh souls that would soon be reforming into fresh meat. Kharon's restless role was to carry the souls of the recently deceased to their decided plane depending on the sins one had committed.
This was an issue because Shinnok used to work with Kharon to help decide and more truthfully, force the ferryman into being brutally harsh with the placement of most souls to the lower planes so that they were not going to be an issue for Shinnok who was trying to make at least the first plane somewhat livable and was currently attempting an expansion over into the second. But their contact had been cut off for a long time now due to the masses of Oni that now controlled the docks that were constantly growing in numbers which Shinnok theorized was as a result of Kharon having transported too many souls to the first plane without his management of his work. Shinnok was unable to coordinate a portal onto the ferry for it was always on the move and after the reports made by his few minions who visited the docks and lived to tell the tale, it was too great of a threat for even Shinnok to travel to and not risk being incapacitated or captured in some way, as much as he wished to confront the Oni by himself. His plan was to eventually wage war on these higher planes Oni though his priorities were set on preserving his army for the invasion of other realms… which much to his surprise and delight was starting with the newly reformed and therefore unprepared Zaterra.
Shinnok stepped out of his throne and set aflame the scroll in his bare hands, knowing fully well that he could simply summon a new one if necessary. He proceeded to create a portal in front of himself and stepped through to transport him to Quan Chi's Fortress. The portal system that linked said fortress and Shinnok's Spire had been complete but it was not a facility that Shinnok needed for his own personal use due to his ability to create temporary portals at will.
Shinnok soon found Quan Chi at his private balcony that took up one of the middle levels of the fortress. It also acted as part library with shelves of books resting by the stairway to the next floor above. The books were how Quan Chi kept educated on his spells with Shinnok having gifted him a special type of book that retained all his casts inside the book's contents and how to execute them, constantly updating in a neat fashion whenever Quan Chi processed a new spell from one of his books. Shinnok used this power of enchanting paper whenever he could and it was a surprisingly handy ability which the Fallen Elder God could at least be somewhat glad that he retained this magic from his old days amongst the big six.
"It is good to see that you are putting the grimoire to good use," Shinnok noted as he saw Quan Chi revising from the very book that he had gifted the sorcerer. "Is it helpful?"
"Quite," Chi confirmed. "Thank you again, Lord Shinnok."
"Your services have earnt it." Shinnok replied as he joined Quan Chi's side as he glanced over the balcony at his realm.
"I am checking for any spell that may be able empower the dark magic utilized by my new Wraith companion." Quan Chi detailed.
"What was it that you casted over that wretched Scorpion to make his hellfire stronger?"
"A hex," Quan Chi answered. "It gave Scorpion the amount of hellfire needed to teleport to and from the Netherrealm… I regret blessing him with such a trick. It only applies to hellfire though, nothing else."
"Then I trust your Wraith shall slay him before he returns again." Shinnok hoped.
"I am certain that he shall." Quan Chi replied with confidence.
"We shall see."
"What brings you here?" Quan Chi felt inclined to ask as he knew that it was unusual for Shinnok to pay a visit to his fortress for no important reason.
"I have received word that the realm of Zaterra has been restored," Shinnok informed him. "We must overtake it."
"My lord, I cannot agree with diverging our plans from Earthrealm to-" Quan Chi tried arguing but was met with the back of Shinnok's hand which swiftly cut his speech off.
"It is not a diverge," Shinnok corrected the assumptious sorcerer. "The plan of invading Earthrealm is still very much in plans and said plans have not been altered."
"Apologies, Lord Shinnok," Quan Chi said as he held the side of his face to relieve the pain from Shinnok's powerful strike. "What strategy do you have in mind?"
"Do you recall King Tetsurri?" Shinnok asked.
"The former ruler of Zaterra?" Quan Chi recalled correctly. "What of him?"
"Do you also recall that his soul never reached the Netherrealm?"
"Of course," Quan Chi confirmed confidently. "And no other Saurians after his death for a while… I remember you complaining about it… a lot."
"Now is our chance to learn if the rumours of the Gem of Tetsurri are true." Shinnok stated.
"With all due respect, Lord Shinnok, such an artifact is a nonsensical legend." Quan Chi strongly believed that the gem was but a myth and was afraid of infuriating his master by making such comments.
The rumour stated that after the tyrant's death, Tetsurri's soul somehow became encased within a crystal in Zaterra. Further rumours theorized that the Gem of Tetsurri was being operated by the former king himself from the dead and holding other souls of fallen Saurians hostage inside the gem out of spite, hence it gaining the name suggesting its belonging to Tetsurri. Ancient artifacts found in the Netherrealm that had been gathered in Quan Chi's library backed up the rumours by presenting these crystals found in Zaterra that did indeed capture souls. Were the rumours true then Tetsurri must've found a way to gain control of the crystal and utilize it to imprison many more souls. Not even Shinnok who had been in existence since the beginning of time could confirm any of this though was hopeful that such was true. Saurians were no longer commonly found within the Netherrealm after all… possibly as a result of this very theory… so Shinnok couldn't question them to see if it was true. He'd have to find out himself.
"What's also nonsensical is how so many souls of the Saurian race have never found their way into my realm despite their clearly present sins on my list." Shinnok pointed out.
"So you believe it is worth searching for the gem?" Quan Chi guessed.
"Indeed," Shinnok confirmed. "You still have that map of Zaterra that marks the alleged location of the Gem of Tetsurri, yes?"
Quan Chi nodded. "I will find it now."
"Be quick," Shinnok instructed. "I require the gem as soon as possible."
"Why so urgent?" Asked Quan Chi as he searched through his organized collection of artifacts, books, scrolls and so forth.
"If I gain possession of the gem then I will be able to utilize the souls contained within it to create an army of undead Saurians to invade the realm on my behalf," Shinnok revealed his genius plan. "This saves bringing our current forces into this new matter."
"Excellent plan as always, Lord Shinnok." Quan Chi praised his master while flipping through the pages of a book and stopping once he found a piece of paper inside the book being the map to the apparent location of the Gem of Tetsurri.
"Hand me it." Shinnok demanded as he quickly realized that Chi was holding the map.
"Of course." Quan Chi quickly offered his master the map only for the dark lord to snatch it from him.
"This is it." Shinnok confirmed what Quan Chi was already certain of. "Travel to it and search the area vividly before returning. Then I have business to conduct using the gem."
"Yes, Lord Shinnok." Quan Chi complied and took the map back as he created a portal for himself to travel to the realm of Zaterra.
Elsewhere in the Netherrealm, Belokk had arrived at the Oni made village that was close to Hell's docks but far enough to qualify as its own gathering separate to the docks as the settlers there had turned the homes by the docks into their own living space. Here stood surprisingly sturdy and strong large huts made out of the most common type of wood in the Netherrealm simply known as nether wood and the ash black stones that littered the Netherrealm. Some huts were even held together by bits of obsidian, a rarity for such was only located in the Netherrealm at the strong layers of earth that kept the planes separate, meaning the Oni must've chipped away at some of it despite the time it must take to dig low enough to reach such a resource.
"Drahmin?" Belokk called out for as he saw the masked Oni surrounded by a circle of his fellow kind with a rock in the centre of them. They were playing a game where each would take turns to try splitting the rock in two. Moloch was winning.
"What do you want?" Drahmin asked as he stood up from his seated position to approach the Demon.
"Lord Shinnok requires your Oni to organize and prepare themselves for their services will be needed very soon," Belokk informed him. "He sent a messenger to tell you this but clearly your brutes weren't interested in what the messenger had to say."
"It's not my job to watch over my people like they're children!" Drahmin argued.
"They sure have the intellect of a child." Belokk remarked.
"Tell me, Demon," Drahmin instructed. "What prevents us from giving you the same fate as that messenger?"
As Drahmin said this, Moloch approached Belokk from behind and began breathing heavily down the top of Belokk's horned head as well as even drooling much to Belokk's disgust, though such drooling was simply Moloch thinking of the next human he'd be eating and not Belokk for demons tasted awful to Oni and that was the primary reason why they usually weren't the target for suffering. Moloch proceeded to stretch out both of his ginormous hands so that they were at the ready to grab his next victim.
"My close bond to Lord Shinnok should be considered," Belokk stated in an attempt to make the two Oni reconsider killing him. "And his wrath."
Drahmin chuckled maniacally. "Do you seriously think that I am afraid of him?!"
"No, I don't," Belokk responded along with a shake of his head. "You're too foolish to know what and who you should fear."
"Whatever, parasite." Drahmin responded as he pointed to the iron club that mounted his right arm to signal his preparation for combat.
"I'm the parasite?" Belokk found such a statement ironic as it came from an Oni.
"Now, Moloch!" Drahmin commanded his large friend who quickly grabbed Belokk with a firm grip that the Demon general was unable to escape from.
"Damn you, coward!" Belokk yelled as Moloch tightened his grip which was beginning to constrain Belokk's ability to breath in the dry and still air in the Netherrealm. "Can't face me alone?"
"Myself and Moloch are a package deal," Drahmin explained. "You challenge one of us then you face us both!"
"You challenged me, not the other way around." Belokk reminded him as he tried struggling out of Moloch's grasp but each time he tried the grip was just being tightened more.
"Die!" Drahmin screamed in dismissal of Belokk's words as he charged forth, spinning his club to wind up a heavy and fatal blow that he went to smash into Belokk's face but as he did so the Demon dropped to his knees which brought Moloch down too as he retained his grip around Belokk. This left Moloch at the level of Drahmin's oncoming strike which connected into one of Moloch's three eyes with the spikes covering the iron club all over cutting the eye itself open leaving the bottom left eye of Moloch a bloodied mess.
Moloch staggered back with a howl of excruciating pain as he clutched his wounded eye which he was now certainly blind in however, his other two eyes made this not a major issue. As he fell back his grip on Belokk had slipped which released the Demon general and allowed him to confront Drahmin as the nearby Oni surrounded the two with some waiting to see the spectacle unfold and others tending to Moloch's wounds.
"Moloch! I'm sorry!" Drahmin apologized as he felt awful for the incident that had just injured his friend badly. "You will pay for that, Demon!"
"Me?!" Belokk scoffed. "You're the one who struck that beast!"
"You set me up for it!" Drahmin snapped as he tore his mask off, which was the only thing keeping his rage somewhat controlled. "And that beast is my friend!"
"Then do something about it!" Belokk yelled back, issuing his own challenge now that things were an even one versus one bout which was just what he wanted.
Drahmin's hideous face that was now unmasked showed a sadistic smile on his face. "Gladly!"
Drahmin spun around as he approached Belokk with his iron club stretching out, prepared to batter Belokk with the weapon. This attack was very risky and had no strategy and allowed Belokk to roll aside from the oncoming barrage of club strikes. Drahmin recomposed himself after becoming a bit unbalanced from swinging around so aggressively to no avail. As the Oni did so, Belokk had an opening to attack Drahmin which he took by throwing her mother's dagger that was enchanted to always be aflame and it pierced Drahmin's chest while also burning his body.
"Fancy knife!" Drahmin complimented with clear pain in his voice as he tore the knife out with his free hand and tossed it back at Belokk but the Demon general caught it as it came at him. "Where'd you find such a piece?"
"My mother," he replied as he put the knife away and instead brought out his father's kwan dao. "Lilith… you may have heard about her."
Drahmin burst out laughing. "What?! Luci's mistress?! The Lucifer?!"
"What's so funny?" Belokk was slightly disturbed and alarmed by Drahmin's sudden change from being enraged to being curious and now being amused.
"You're their son," Drahmin processed. "So you're a God!"
"Demi-God," Belokk corrected him. "What of it?"
"Killing a God will certainly send Shinnok a message," Drahmin came to such a conclusion. "Now die!"
Drahmin leapt in the air and went to strike his club down on the skull of Belokk but the Demons' reflexes were quick and he once again rolled away from the Onis attack. Belokk sliced Lucifer's kwan dao down the back which caused Drahmin to fall to the ground.
"Myself and Lord Shinnok are two very different matters," Belokk tried explaining as Drahmin struggled to his feet, being kicked back down each time he tried. "I am far inferior to him. If you can't even defeat myself then you stand no chance were you to ever dare be foolish enough to challenge the dark lord himself."
"This fight isn't anyway near over!" Drahmin blurted out followed by a chuckle which prompted Belokk to attempt another kick only for Drahmin to grab the leg and smash his iron club into his shin and then knee in a violent attempt to destroy his leg. "Die, die, die!"
Belokk slashed his kwan dao across the cheek of the already scarred face of Drahmin and punched the Oni away from him. Drahmin let out a horrid hiss that was almost resembling that of a Saurian as he scurried back to his feet and again sprung at Belokk for another ruthless yet uncalculated assault on the demonic Demi-God.
The weight of Drahmin was too much for Belokk as the Oni leapt onto him which caused Belokk's leg to collapse under even someone as lightweight as Drahmin. The Oni then rolled Belokk back onto his back and smashed his club across Belokk's face which surprisingly enough didn't knock out Belokk right then and there but it did not have enough force due to the constricted space of the two grappling on the floor which only allowed Drahmin to jab at Belokk rather than full on crushing him with the heavy weapon.
Belokk fought back firstly with attempts to choke out Drahmin but another jab with the iron club was sent straight to his nose, immediately breaking and busting him open with blood spurting out his nose at a rapid rate. The Demi-God then decided to change up his strategy and summoned Lilith's knife a second time to repeatedly stab Drahmin until the Oni was forced to move off of him. Both fighters lay on the black rocky floor and were struggling to stand from their exhaustion and wounds. Belokk began climbing to his feet first, using his father's kwan dao to help him stand upright and once he was he used the weapon to press against the neck of Drahmin and push him back to the floor before he could fully stand up.
"Stay down, Drahmin," Belokk instructed. "I merely came as a messenger, not as a warrior."
"Always be prepared for a scrap down here," Drahmin advised with a wicked smile on his face as his pale eyes looked past Belokk though the Demon made no note of such a detail. "Especially around us Oni."
"Oh, I am," Belokk assured him. "I'm more experienced in this realm than you are or ever will be."
"Then did you expect this?"
"Expect what?!"
"Moloch, SMASH!" Drahmin suddenly commanded as the large Oni had recovered from his eye injury and was prepared for vengeance on Belokk, having enough intellect to be aware that Drahmin accidentally struck him down and he wouldn't let such a miscommunication weaken their bond.
Moloch charged forth like a rhino at a speed too fast for even Belokk to avoid despite his swift reflexes. Soon it was Moloch atop of Belokk, a much worse scenario than when it was Drahmin in a similar position. It took a mere foot from Moloch to crush Belokk with great might as he let out an earth shaking roar which called for his Herald.
Herald was the name of the owl belonging to Moloch, making for a pairing even more odd than that of the beast like Oni and his masked friend. The owl's appearance was simply covered in dark black feathers which matched his eyes which were also completely pitch black, emitting an ominous and unnerving feeling when it's presence was near. The only part of the owl that wasn't shrouded in the colour of black was her pointy beak that was still a dark and musty yellow, similar to Moloch's eye colour but without their bright glow.
If one spotted Herald then they would know that Moloch himself would not be far behind, Herald being recognizable by her appearance being distinct due to her eyes. Moloch himself was a well known and feared Oni throughout the realms though his own appearance was not unique to his type of Oni, however, what was unique to him was his ruthlessness and capability to cause destruction which he owed many thanks to his signature ball and chain which was also known to those who feared the tales told of his savagery as the Giant Ball of Death. Herald's role was in delivering this heavy weapon to Moloch upon the Oni Destroyer's command.
Legends of Moloch and his Herald even described that the owl would fly around the planes of the Netherrealm while carrying Moloch's ball and chain, which contains the Onis essence. Eventually, as legend has it, that when the owl drops the orb and would let it fall, Moloch will be raised from the ground that it touches, starting a rampage on that land. Once his time is complete, he disappears back into the ground. Herald then collects the orb and flies away, starting the cycle anew. While such legends are nothing close to the simple truth of things, it is simply a testament to how feared Moloch was to many in the Netherrealm. Such fear applied not to Shinnok and his closest company for they were more concerned of Drahmin as the seeming figurehead and the smartest of the dangerous Oni species.
Herald successfully dropped the ball and chain precisely into Moloch's right hand, the chain wrapping around his muscular arm as he clutched the orb firmly. Moloch took the moment to pet his strange ally only for Belokk to muster enough strength to stick Lilith's dagger into the Onis' massive foot. In a fit of rage, Moloch exhaled aggressively which sent a gust of breath from his nostrils that was so strong it was visible and was even able to push Belokk back with a strong amount of force. The wind like breath launched Belokk into a strike to the back from Drahmin's club which knocked Belokk back to the floor where he lay before Moloch.
"This is for my eye, short one." Moloch spoke as he raised his ball and chain in the air and pinned Belokk still using his foot once more before quickly and effectively smashing the ball down and crushing Belokk's skull, leaving nothing but a puddle of blood with several chunks of brain and broken bones sitting within the blood.
"Well done, my friend!" Drahmin applauded, clapping his hand and his iron club together while being ignorant of any spikes from the club cutting his hand as he did so.
Moloch dug through the bits that remained of Belokk's now exploded head and picked up one of his eyes that was still intact from the gigantic balls crash landing. Moloch examined it, contemplating on whether or not it could serve as a replacement to his currently wounded one.
"No good," Moloch said to himself as he tossed the eyeball in his mouth before spitting it out. "Also no good for eating."
"The eyes are just as bad as the flesh, big guy," Drahmin informed him as he put his mask back on which allowed him to regain some level of calmness and intellect. "I would've thought you already knew that considering all the things you eat."
"A pity," Moloched groaned as did his stomach. "I must find us food."
"Mortals for lunch!" Drahmin cheered. "Or breakfast, or dinner, depending on whatever time it is in this blasted realm."
"Does it matter?" Moloch asked. "Not like anything changes… especially not the menu."
"You're the chef so if you find that an issue then-"
"I don't," Moloch reassured him. "Farewell."
"Bye, pal!" Drahmin waved his iron club in the air to signal farewell back at the Oni as he searched for their villages' next feast. "I suppose I should hold onto these fancy weapons…"
Just as Drahmin said that the weapons had disappeared before he even had a chance to hold the signature weapons of Lucifer and Lilith for they were now bound to their son Belokk, thus following him to wherever in this plane his body chose to reform.
"Oh well," Drahmin soon moved on from losing these weapons as his trusty iron club was better than any weapon from his point of view. "My fellow Oni, we must unfortunately prepare for Shinnok as that wretched Belokk advised us to do. So let us get to it!"
Belokk had quickly reformed in the Pool of Vutix which was located in the end of the corridor of the dungeons within the bottom level of Shinnok's Spire. The pool was a gift for Lucifer granted by the Elder God called Vutix that allowed Lucifer and the rest of his family easy and safe reformation upon death in the pool, Lucifer was also granted the power to pick and choose those who could pass through the pool but all of his closest allies who could make use of the pool were trapped and tortured in the very dungeons that this pool rested in which meant that even today Belokk could still access the pool.
Belokk accepted this death as it saved him more time than trekking back to the spire, though he'd adore getting another chance to stab Drahmin once more. After letting the bloody water from the Pool of Vutix drip from his also crimson red skin, Belokk strolled down the corridors as he looked at the prisoners inhabiting the dungeons, all of which being recognizable to Belokk due to them all having an association to his parents. Speaking of which, Belokk soon located his two parents chained up within an extra reinforced dungeon cell. The chains were enchanted with dark magic to prevent the two from ever utilizing magic of their own to escape the dungeons.
"You." Lucifer groaned with clear annoyance due to the presence of his son as he stood by the bars of their cell.
"Hello, father," Belokk greeted with his own dislike being audibly expressed. "Are the chains comfortable for your liking?"
"Shut up and leave us be." Lucifer demanded while ignoring Belokk's mocking question.
"You don't control me," Belokk reminded him. "Not anymore."
"Ungrateful brat!" Lilith finally snapped, she couldn't stand what she was hearing any longer.
"Mother, please," Belokk addressed her calmly. "There wasn't a single thing for me to even be grateful or ungrateful for."
"We gave you everything in our power!" Lilith screamed. "I considered your beliefs and had Nekros built! And what do I get!? I get betrayed by my own wretched son!"
"Calm down, Lil," Lucifer instructed. "Ignore him."
"Ignore him?!" Lilith repeated, frustrated and irritated by the suggestion. "You seriously think I can ignore him?! Our son who stabbed us in the back and sentenced us here forever?! I cannot ignore this fiend!"
"Ah, good," Belokk continued to stoke his parents' rage. "That means I have your attention… for once."
"For once?!" Lilith scoffed. "Do you have any idea how much-"
"LILITH!" Lucifer yelled out, his voice echoing throughout the dungeons. "BE QUIET!"
"I hate you two…" Lilith muttered as she began sobbing.
"The feeling is mutual, mother," Belokk heartlessly remarked. "Father only cares about his precious Elder Gods and you're clearly aware of my opinion on yourself."
"And you only care about the Fallen Elder God," Lucifer wanted to simply ignore Belokk himself but his emotions were causing him to react with arguments back at Belokk. "You hypocritical bastard."
"Difference is that Lord Shinnok is worth following," Belokk gave his very opinionated belief. "Unlike the useless Elder Gods who haven't given you a single thing other than this hellhole."
"They care…" Lucifer quietened down a bit as he couldn't think much of a strong response to Lucifer's point. All this time spent in chains had led to some level of doubt from the Protector God.
"Not enough to take a minute of their time to free you," Belokk quickly responded and then eyed his weeping mother. "I suggest you console your woman, prisoner."
As Lucifer began hurling lots of loud verbal abuse to his son, Belokk simply didn't react and did what his father was unable to do and that was ignore the words being thrown at him. Belokk needed to return to his work for the great cause of the even greater Lord Shinnok.