Flowing down one of the Rivers of Blood, a horde of Oni from various subspecies began reforming. Their souls had drifted to the red liquid as it carried them down, letting their souls rest as a new body naturally generated for the Netherrealm natives. Their rebirth was met by the glaring three eyes of the Oni Matriarch. Whilst Drahmin had undertaken the role of spokesperson and seeming leader of the Oni race, there was still one greatly powerful being beyond even him. A being at over forty feet tall, whilst sitting, sat at the riverbank. She prevented the souls from travelling past by using a gigantic hand as a makeshift dam.
"Run along, children," she spoke in a booming voice as their bodies reformed and they ran towards the village that accommodated their kind, the largest amount of land possessed solely by the Oni within the depths of the first plane.
"Abaddon…" Drahmin spoke up as he approached her from behind.
The enormous Oni was not actually part of the Oni Warlords, but rather the Oni Beasts. She had mutated long ago, even before Shinnok's reign. Such mutations had increased her intelligence as well as her size. She kept the specifics of her origins a secret from all, but she was seen by her fellow Oni as the greatest of their kind for bringing them together in an attempt to begin a community that continued to grow as more and more Oni filled the realm.
"Drahmin!" Abaddon greeted as she made a circular motion with a thick finger that casted a spell that spun her body around so that she was facing him. "Congratulations on becoming the new Emperor of the Netherrealm!"
Although a figure of such mass and stature could not be fully covered, Abaddon covered herself with the remnants of beasts she had slain long ago. Such creatures were of a similar gigantic size from the time of the Netherrealm that had been long ago now. Her skin that was a mesh of shades of blue and green was draped in shockingly large pelts, with bones adorning her like jewellery. The most distinct part of her attire was a necklace made from a bone-made chain that had all three heads of the infamous multi-headed hounds known as Cerberus. Her pointy teeth still gleamed in the dim lighting of the Netherrealm, partially illuminated by her eyes that glowed orange. Although her appearance was terrifying, her kindness to her own people made her come across like a surrogate mother to the entire species… and a legitimate mother to Torcher and Moloch.
"I owe it all to you and Moloch," Drahmin claimed.
"You've certainly blossomed since we pulled you away from your years of torment," Abaddon acknowledged. "Let's not reminisce right now though. I'm sure you have plenty of work to do, Emperor."
"Family comes first," Drahmin clarified. "I figured I should clarify we now have allies who rule Outworld."
"You mean that Union?"
"No," Drahmin shook his head. "Two sorcerers called Shang Tsung and Quan Chi."
"Never trust a sorcerer, Drahmin!" Abaddon advised.
"They genuinely helped us overthrow Iris," Drahmin explained. "We'll be working together as part of the new Outworld and Netherrealm partnership."
"Which is grand news," Abaddon stated, "but that just means they want to use us Oni."
"I know that Quan Chi is certainly a shady person," Drahmin admitted. "How can you be sure though?"
"Why did they help us in the first place?"
"I just heard that they went on to seize control of Outworld," Drahmin informed her of more recent news, "they're probably out for power."
"Solely power," Abaddon assumed. "If they are anything like Shinnok, then all realms will inevitably suffer from their tyranny."
"We won't let that happen," Drahmin promised.
"It's a matter of how powerful they become," Abaddon stated.
"I suppose so," Drahmin admitted. "They gave us a great opportunity regardless, so I think we should stick with them."
"For the time being," Abaddon agreed. "Remain cautious…"
"I shall," Drahmin promised.
"I have something for you," Abaddon stated as she summoned a box that had been wrapped up neatly by the skin of a mortal before handing it to Drahmin.
"You shouldn't have," Drahmin said as he unwrapped his gift. "This… looks familiar."
Drahmin saw an ancient looking crown in the box. He carefully picked it up and placed it on top of his head. The crown was an imposing sight to behold. The base of the crown was a thick band of polished black iron, which curved to fit snugly around the wearer's head. Drahmin was surprised by how well it fit him. Rising up from this base were six menacing horns, each one over a foot in length and curved like a ram's horn. The horns themselves were made of a gleaming silver, and etched with an array of strange, ancient symbols. These markings glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light, lending an air of dark magic to the crown. At the front of the Oni crown, nestled between the two central horns, was a large turquoise gemstone.
"The runes on that crown were made by me," Abaddon elaborated. "They will heighten your strength… and offer a brand new power entirely."
"Thank you," Drahmin said gratefully as the blank eyes of the mask he wore began to light up with a bright blue flame. "What is this feeling?"
"My magic has unlocked an inner energy power from within," Abaddon revealed. "I don't know the particular names, but it actually originates from Outworlders."
"Fascinating," Drahmin commented as he set his iron club aflame and laughed maniacally at the wonderful sight. "Oh Abaddon, you shouldn't have!"
"It is the least I can do with my magic," Abaddon commented. "I wish for you to do a favour in return."
"Anything for you," Drahmin replied.
"Tell the warriors that follow you to be less reckless with their lives," Abaddon requested. "Even if they return each time, good as new, it pains me to see them die even if it's temporary… especially after seeing Torcher."
"I'll let them know," Drahmin promised. "It would be ideal to avoid the risk of becoming lost souls anyway."
"Precisely," Abaddon agreed before a sudden crackle of thunder boomed throughout the first plane. "What was that?"
Drahmin scurried up the ladder of a watchtower to get a better look. Something had already caught Abaddon's three eyes though, the giant spotting a flying figure coming down towards their village.
The village itself was made up of small wooden huts made of Netherrealm native wood and colourful clay with thatched roofs, each decorated with intricate carvings and symbols that held great significance to the Oni. The huts were arranged in a circular pattern around a central gathering place, where the Oni would come together to discuss important matters and hold festivals and celebrations.
Despite their fearsome reputation, the Oni were a close-knit community and took care of one another, which this village reflected. They would often gather around a large bonfire in the evenings to share stories and sing songs, and children could be seen running and playing throughout the village during the day. Despite the difficulties that the oppressed species had undergone, the village remained a peaceful and thriving community for many generations, a testament to the resilience and strength of the Oni.
Abaddon stood up and walked past the homes that she towered over to get a better look at the incoming visitor. Unlike the other planes, the first plane did indeed have a sky that was constantly a dull red that frightened many outsiders. But alongside the sky came no weather occurrences. Oni in the village who had been around for millions of years, were shocked by the sight of thunder and lightning in the Netherrealm and gathered around to witness the ongoing event.
"You're not welcome here, stranger!" Abaddon yelled.
"I am Raiden," he introduced himself as he landed on the ground, blasting through the gates to the village. "I am the Protector God of Earthrealm."
"What do you want, Raiden?" Drahmin asked as he ran over whilst waving his iron club. "This place is called Oniville for a reason! No outsiders!"
"I heard that the Oni have seized control of the Netherrealm," Raiden told him as he glared at Drahmin's crown. "I presume you're the new ruler then."
"I sure am!" Drahmin shouted, "and you do not belong in our realm!"
"I'll leave you be," Raiden offered, "if you tell me where Quan Chi and Shang Tsung are."
"You just assume we're helping them?!" Drahmin asked angrily.
"It is a convenient detail that Quan Chi's been released from captivity in Nekros ever since you overthrew Iris," Raiden pointed out. "Let's not pretend that it's a coincidence."
"Fine!" Drahmin snapped. "Maybe we did help them! The Deadly Alliance is a generous pair!"
"Where are they?!" Raiden asked.
"Not here!" Drahmin told him honestly. "But even if I knew… I wouldn't tell you!"
"If you were sensible you would search Outworld," Abaddon commented.
"I just took a brief visit there," Raiden clarified. "They weren't home."
"Nor are they here either," Drahmin repeated. "I suggest you move along, Thunder God."
"I do not trust you," Raiden admitted. "You're hiding the truth."
"Because I'm an Oni?!" Drahmin asked, clearly offended.
"Because of who you associate with," Raiden told him as he charged his clenched fists with lightning. "Perhaps you underestimate the consequences of lying to me."
"The darkness of the Netherrealm dwindles the powers of Gods like you," Abaddon noted as she stepped in front of her Oni followers. "You don't scare us."
"I just recharged my powers," Raiden stated, "and I feel stronger than ever."
"Who's the liar now?" Drahmin quipped.
"Last chance," Raiden warned. "I will not hold back."
"Nor will I," Abaddon threatened. "Do your worst, God of Thunder."
Raiden flew forth, extending his arms as he punched Abaddon in her massive stomach. He then grabbed onto one of the pelts she wore and took flight, carrying the several ton Oni with relative ease. Abaddon swiped him away with her hands, causing Raiden to lose his hold on Abaddon midair. Raiden flew around and launched himself at her back at such a fast speed that his fist punched a hole inside her back. Reaching inside, Raiden sent a blast of lightning from his hand that shocked Abaddon's entire skeleton from within. She let out a shriek of agony as her mutated body quickly began to heal, the hole closing up and a spike suddenly forming which stabbed Raiden in the chest.
Pulling himself off of the spike, Raiden began to fly even higher into the crimson sky. Abaddon spun her body around as she began falling to the ground, looking like an incoming meteorite to the Oni below. She reached a hand onto her back, pulling out the spike she had grown and hurling it at Raiden. Before she could crush her fellow Oni, Abaddon teleported herself even higher into the sky, above Raiden. She landed an elbow drop on Raiden, who managed to hug onto her arm and send a powerful and long lightning shock. To get him off of her, Abaddon flicked the Thunder God far away.
Abaddon had lost sight of Raiden from how far she had flicked him, but was soon being attacked by purple lightning bolts coming down on her relentlessly. Abaddon then reached for her third eye, removing it from its socket and throwing it in the direction she had flicked Raiden. Her body was capable of functioning just fine even whilst separated, allowing her to see where the eye was going. She soon saw Raiden who had crashed into the side of a cliff, but was determined to continue his lightning assault. He then saw the floating eye staring at him. Before he could react, Abaddon began firing a fiery beam from her orange eye. Raiden tried to fly away, but Abaddon teleported in front of him and immediately threw a huge right hook that punched Raiden through the mountain.
Grabbing the fallen remnants, Abaddon hurled the rubble at Raiden. The Thunder God reacted by hurling a ball shaped cloud of thunder at Abaddon who ducked it, as Raiden had anticipated. Creating another ball, Raiden connected them with a beam of lightning that caught both Abaddon and the rubble. The rocks were pushed back by the lightning into Abaddon's face, stunning her momentarily. Raiden then teleported behind Abaddon and charged into her once more, driving her massive body into the ground, leaving a crater behind right beside Oniville.
"What was that?" Sareena wondered aloud as she and her fellow Demon friends wandered through the Netherrealm Highway that crossed past Oniville but was a completely covered cavern, leaving them oblivious to the events occuring outside.
They had recently returned to the Outworld village, Hellven, home of Netherrealmers who were deemed worthy of departing from the gloomy realm and to reside in Outworld instead. They were relieved to see that their new home hadn't been harmed… yet. There was one concerning revelation however as they learnt from the other villagers that the portal that connected the two realms had been mysteriously destroyed. One sorcerer village created a portal for the group to head through. Finding themselves within the Netherrealm Highway, they headed to Nekros to get answers from Lady Iris.
"I think you've forgotten how noisy it can be in the Netherrealm," Siann remarked.
"Never a noise that loud!" Ashrah commented.
"Ash, you weren't around for a lot of Quan Chi's whinging," Cilene said jokingly.
"He wasn't loud," Ashrah replied, "just obnoxious."
"VERY obnoxious," Sora added as Mika giggled.
"There is one thing I have forgotten," Sareena admitted.
"What's that?" Siann asked.
"How long this tunnel is!" Sareena complained. "Do you know how far away we are from Nekros?"
"Uh… no," Siann admitted.
"The front entrance is at a nearby mountain," Mika explained, "we will be able to see it when we get out."
"How do we know we're going in the right direction?" Jataaka questioned.
"Well, it's definitely the main road," Kia believed.
"Ding ding ding!" Mika mimicked the noise of a bell. "Kia's right!"
"You've been watching too many of those Oni game shows," Sora told her.
"No such thing!" Mika claimed.
"Game show?" Kia asked.
"Nekros has a theatre now," Mika revealed. "There's some really talented stuff performed there!"
"Romantic plays too," Sora recalled. "Wish you'd take me to more of them, Mika!"
"When we get home I will," Mika promised.
"Do I get a prize for winning a game show?" Kia asked.
"Yes!" Jataaka eagerly confirmed as she pulled Kia in for a kiss. "There's your prize."
"Oooh!" The other Demons noised loudly.
"Wow…" Kia gasped. "That's a good prize…"
"You can tell this is the main road as all the side paths connect to this," Mika explained as she continued to lead the way. "I'm sure we'll be out of here soon."
"It's a lot darker than I remember too," Sareena noticed.
"Since Shinnok's been dethroned there hasn't been anyone to enslave Demons to make sure all the torches here stay alight," Mika told her.
"A more than fair tradeoff then," Sareena concluded.
"Allow me to lighten things up," Ashrah offered as she raised her Kriss into the air paired with her bright light energy that helped brighten up the cavern.
"It's a better use for the Kriss than before," Siann reviewed.
"I'm sorry," Ashrah apologised as she stopped walking and lowered the sword. "Not a day goes by when I regret the attacks I took on my own people."
"I didn't mean to come across as mad at you," Siann clarified, "that's all in the past."
"We reformed just fine," Sora told her. "We attacked you anyway for the Brotherhood!"
"I know," Ashrah sighed, "but there were many others."
"Who reformed too," Mika presumed. "Right?"
"Not initially," Ashrah confessed. "The sword's initial purpose was to purge evil," she revealed, "those impaled by it did not return."
"Yikes…" Mika reacted with shock as Sareena placed a hand on Ashrah's shoulder.
"We've all done things we aren't proud of," Jataaka spoke up. "We're all former Brotherhood of Shadow members."
"None of you have had to kill your sister."
"Arosis is fine now though," Sareena assured her lover.
"Doesn't make the moment any less painful," Ashrah told her as they held hands. "That was before I found the Kriss."
"Quan Chi forced her to hunt you down after your betrayal," Kia recalled. "That's his fault, neither of yours."
"After I had to kill her… I soon found the Kriss," Ashrah continued to remember her past. "I think I lost my mind for a while, but time slowly does help," she admitted. "That was when I met a mage in Nekros who helped me purge the curse that destroyed the souls of my victims."
"That's why we got to reform," Sora concluded.
"Yes," she confirmed. "Thank the Gods our encounters happened after I met that mage."
"This place has never favoured us natives," Sareena told her.
"That's why all down here have at least some taint in their soul," Ashrah responded, her Kriss allowing her to detect the soul purity of any individual. "That's why I don't feel good about having judged who deserved to die based on that."
"We're all working towards bettering ourselves," Sareena replied. "As long as you are trying your best then you can just let go of the past and keep moving forward."
"Thank you, darling," Ashrah said as the two women hugged.
"So cute!" Mika cheered. "Are we ready to keep moving now?"
"Let's go," Ashrah confirmed as they continued to head towards Nekros.
Another large bang interrupted the travelling Demons, this time it shook the ground they stood on as stalagmites from the dark ceiling collapsed dangerously close to them. Outside of the cavern they walked down, Abaddon had been pushed into the cliffs that the Netherrealm Highway was tunnelled within. Raiden charged his fists into her and with all his might he had managed to shove her back. Abaddon swiped her humongous hands through the air, trying to grab Raiden, but the Thunder God kept teleporting with a blink of an eye, before reaching eye level with Abaddon and creating a sword made of lightning. The sharp energy was stabbed into her thick cheek and dragged towards her eyeball. Despite the pain of the shocking cuts, Abaddon remained patient as she saw Raiden approaching her eye. When he did, she unleashed an energy beam at the Thunder God.
"You're outmatched, Thunder God!" Abaddon yelled as Raiden was launched across the land. "I will banish you from this reality!"
Abaddon sprung into the air and with frightening agility, she leapt over the entirety of Oniville and snatched Raiden out of the air. They crashed into the nearby barrow wasteland that they had already ravaged in their conflict, this time the crash created a massive ravine within the ground as Abaddon's weight crushed Raiden and caused them to rapidly sink underground.
"We'll be breaking into the next plane at this rate!" Abaddon yelled. "Speaking of…"
Being concerned about harming her own people at Oniville, mainly seeing herself as the main risk of crushing the village, she scooped Raiden out from beneath her mass, hurled him into the air whilst he was stunned and then jumped up after him. Following a midair belly slam, the two powerful combatants began falling only for Abaddon to cast a teleportation spell that transported them both into the plane below…
"That sure was weird," Sareena agreed as the Demons continued to stride down the Netherrealm Highway. "Earthquakes haven't become a thing here since we left, right?"
"No," Sora answered as Mika giggled at the question.
"I know they're common in parts of Outworld," Ashrah pointed out, "but not here."
"Our ground is thick but remember that we are just one layer of the Nine Planes," Mika educated the group. "The ground here is just the ceiling for the next plane, thick enough to separate them but still nowhere near as deep as other realms."
"I tend to forget," Sareena admitted. "The other planes are still so mysterious to us and yet we've been living in this realm for…"
"Too long," Ashrah finished her sentence. "Far too long."
"I've heard tales," Mika replied. "Anyway, this is paired with the fact that our grounds are far stronger and stiffer making them practically impenetrable is the obsidian and bedrock here," she detailed. "If you put those facts together then you can see why earthquakes are a very unlikely occurrence."
"Strong and stiff like-" Kia spoke up but was nudged with quite a lot of force by Jataaka. "I mean… how do you know this stuff anyway, Mika?!"
"From more tales," Mika clarified. "One guest at my rehabilitation hotel died from an earthquake disaster during their life as an Earthrealmer!"
"Sounds scary," Cilene admitted.
"For you maybe," Siann quipped with a grin on her face.
"Hey!" Cilene laughed.
"Lots of Earthrealmers come to my hotel," Mika stated, "it's how I learnt of the word in the first place! Hotel!"
"Fascinating stuff, love," Sora told her kindly.
"Look out, girls!" Ashrah shouted. "We've reached the end!"
At the end of the Netherrealm Highway, a collective sigh of relief enveloped all who had persevered through the seemingly endless path. Many weary travellers found solace in the knowledge that they had emerged from the depths of darkness and it made the light at the end of the tunnel feel like a gateway to the Heavens, despite the reality that they were still in Hell. Ashrah lowered her Kriss, no longer a need for her angelic light. The red light at the end of the tunnel felt more welcoming rather than intimidating to the Demons due to how long being in the caverns felt. Despite their usefulness in transportation, the caverns often felt like a maze if you branched away from the dull main path and it was a daunting trip for the claustrophobic Netherrealmers. Ashrah and Sareena in particular became especially excited as they were about to see Nekros again for the first time in a while…
Abaddon and Raiden were not finished with their clash. Their conflict was unnecessary but they had enraged each other, making their frightening conflict even more violent. Whilst the second plane was a much smaller civilisation compared to the first, it still had it, unlike most planes. The occasional village, town or city would appear as they fought over them. Raiden flew as high as he could, hindered by the ceiling trapping them within the endless space. Abaddon pursued him, sinking her claws into the allegedly indestructible barrier between the planes and using them like monkey bars at a frighteningly fast pace. Raiden was flying away because something had caught his eye. Emerging from a lava sea, spike shaped rocks poked out of the bubbling lava that they bathed in. Raiden wrapped his arms around one, using his godly might to rip it off and then throw it at Abaddon. Like being stabbed by a large nail, the Oni cried out in pain and rage as the rock stabbed into her torso. Raiden then teleported behind her and tried pushing her down into the lava. Abaddon then teleported herself, their roles reversing rapidly as they continued to get lower towards the lava sea below. Raiden managed to outsmart his opponent though, this time teleporting a greater distance away. When Abaddon naturally teleported back to behind where she thought Raiden was, Raiden remained behind her and drove her down into the lava.
"You should have revealed the location of the Deadly Alliance to me," Raiden justified her death as he landed on the shore where ash replaced sand. "Maybe Drahmin will after learning of this…"
Suddenly, a cackle echoed throughout the sea as Raiden turned around to see Abaddon emerging from the lava. Most of her flesh had been melted off the bone, but her large skeleton remained unharmed. She stepped out of the magma, the pelts she wore being fireproof through the natural evolution of Netherrealm animals, having to adapt to such an unforgiving realm. Her flesh then began to return, using her healing properties as her body rapidly began to regain everything that had just been completely incinerated moments ago. Raiden flew at Abaddon, entering her giant rib cage before the reforming flesh could cover it. Latching onto her ribs from within, Raiden once again began shocking Abaddon from the inside, clinging onto her ribs as her entire skeleton was electrocuted.
"Get out of there, Thunder God!" Abaddon demanded as she bent down, causing Raiden to lose his footing on the ribs and tumble down into her stomach.
Abaddon had bent down to scoop up some lava from the sea, cupping her hands as she began to drink from the lava. Although Abaddon's healing properties allowed her to ignore the lava and she possessed lava bending abilities which would pass onto Torcher, her mutated body was not immune to it as its momentarily scorched state proved. Despite this, she began drinking the lava, hoping to melt Raiden at the cost of destroying her own insides, knowing that it was only momentary. The one organ she did protect, however, was her heart. She dug into her own chest, pulling out the large beating muscular organ. Raiden had spotted this gap though, and in the nick of time he flew out of the hole left before the lava could pour all over him.
"You are a pesky one!" Abaddon complained as she put her heart back in place once the lava had leaked out of her melting flesh, soon healing through naturally growing replacements to fix her body. "But I remain unaffected by your bold efforts, Thunder God."
"I do not tire from my efforts," Raiden stated as he crossed his arms whilst hovering in the air. "It seems we are at an impasse."
"I'm an ancient Oni and you're an ancient God," Abaddon pointed out. "Surely you're also patient enough to continue this entertainment a little longer?"
"Unlike you, I have responsibilities," Raiden snapped.
"Like protecting those Earthrealmers?" Abaddon asked. "The news has spread like hellfire, I know you couldn't even protect the Champion of Mortal Kombat!"
"Where are his killers, Abaddon?!" Raiden asked, raising his voice as he became even angrier than before.
"I have no idea!" Abaddon repeated. "If you have so many responsibilities then go ahead and interrogate some other fool!"
"I agree," Raiden admitted as he tried to calm himself. "Despite that, you have proven to be a major threat to Earthrealm."
"I haven't even stepped foot in that place!" Abaddon yelled. "A pathetic land full of the most pathetic people!"
"Excuse me?!"
"Listen to me, God of Useless, I can deduce enough about your realm from the countless scum that have plagued mine!" Abaddon complained as Raiden clenched his fists. "Earthrealm is a place that births more sinners than the natives here!"
"That's an absurd claim!" Raiden argued.
"The Netherrealm deserves better," Abaddon muttered. "And even those insects from Earthrealm deserve a better Protector God than you!"
"Enough!"
"No!" Abaddon refused to comply with his demands. "You're pathetic! Your divine power has been trumped by my so-called disgusting mutations!"
"I give you one last chance!"
"Want my advice?" Abaddon asked. "Leave the Deadly Alliance alone and go looking for the dead boy!" Abaddon advised as Raiden began to charge himself up with more abnormally powerful lightning. "I wouldn't go up there though, he's probably rotting away down here or being swallowed by my people as we speak!"
With a flash of lightning, Raiden dashed forth and cut through the air with a blade formed from electricity. After the sudden attack, Abaddon had been cut through her massive stomach, the lightning slicing her in two.
"Is that ego of yours really so fragile?" Abaddon asked as her top half collapsed, her legs remaining firmly in place. "No… it's your temper, isn't it?"
Raiden wasted no time in continuing his dissection, severing her torso into several little pieces as he landed on her body, dragging her lightning blade through as he came closer to her heart. Eventually acknowledging the genuine danger, Abaddon summoned a ball of lava and hurled it at Raiden, throwing him off of her severed body. She took control of her legs, using them to distract Raiden as she made constant unsuccessful attempts to stomp on him. Within this time, Abaddon's body once again regrew, much to Raiden's annoyance.
Raiden then gasped as he saw the severed legs begin to regrow the rest of the body. Soon towering over him were two Abaddons. He collapsed to his knees, his white robes covered in soot and ash as the typically fancy gold accents that suited his importance were obscured by the stains and cuts that covered him. Abaddon's first body flicked his hat off, whilst the other waved her hands to try and get his attention as he glared at the ground. Raiden knew his emotions were growing increasingly unstable, rapidly so with the loss of Liu Kang, one of the mortals he had grown closest to during his millions of years living in Earthrealm. It was too much… even for a Thunder God. Now he was being humiliated by an Oni who he challenged in the first place, separate from the main threat of the two sorcerers. For the first time in his life, Raiden wanted to quit.
"Let's find out how immortal Gods truly are!" Abaddon decided as she went to stomp Raiden to death.
Before Abaddon could do this, however, Raiden shot a ball of lightning that exploded the extra body Abaddon grew from her old legs into thousands of pieces, including the second heart she had grown. Abaddon growled, even clutching her own heart at the uncomfortable sight. Raiden had been secretly charging up a lightning blast despite his mind trying to distract him. Abaddon was wise enough to recognise that this meant that she could be defeated, but wished to point out once crucial detail that Raiden had forgotten through the heated conflict.
"I've been an Oni since birth," she revealed as Raiden flew towards her.
"I can tell your heart is the source of your power," Raiden told her, "and therefore it is also your weakness."
"You don't understand!" Abaddon shouted. "As a Netherrealm native, I will always reform."
"This truly has been a waste of time," Raiden sighed.
"What about you?" Abaddon asked.
"Since Gods also hail from an afterlife realm…" Raiden began to reply but stopped as he heard Abaddon growl.
"The Heavens," she said through gritted teeth. "Of course your precious Elder Gods selfishly decided that the bad souls go here instead of to their realm!"
"I assure you, I'm not on the best of terms with them either," Raiden clarified.
"I find that hard to believe," Abaddon admitted.
"I do not blame you," Raiden said. "But since us Gods come from the Heavens, we merely dissipate until we can reform."
"As expected," Abaddon sighed, bored by the basic explanation that she had predicted for so long. "I suppose we both got a bit carried away there, huh?"
"Yes," Raiden bluntly agreed as Abaddon sat down causing a thud from her incomprehensible weight. "I must go."
Raiden turned his back to Abaddon as he began conducting his teleportation, feeling foolish for wasting his powers just after spending the time to regain his energy at the Jinsei Chamber. As he casted the spell though, Abaddon suddenly wrapped a chunky finger around him.
"Nobody threatens the Oni and walks away!" Abaddon yelled as a strike of lightning teleported them both away…
Meanwhile outside of Nekros, the group of Demons had finally made it to the city. Many were confused, however, as the main gates were closed. In recent times the gates had remained open to allow for convenient passage for Netherrealmers, but remained heavily guarded. The latter part had not changed. Emerging over the walls were a pair of Oni Warlords, looking down past the walls that separated them and the travellers. Mika gasped, leaping into Sora's arms out of shock.
"What's going on?" Siann questioned.
"Nekros is under new management," Torcher spoke as he approached the gate, looking through the gaps at the travellers. "So too is the Netherrealm!"
"What have you done?!" Sora asked angrily as she put Mika down whilst everyone began drawing their weapons.
"Lord Drahmin has overthrown Iris," Torcher revealed with a proud smile on his face. "Her Brotherhood of Shadow is unwelcome here."
"This is our home!" Mika yelled. "I run a business in that city!"
"Business?!" Torcher scoffed. "This realm is the nine planes of pain and torment… there should not be any business."
"The realm can change," Mika argued.
"It already has!" Sora pointed out.
"Us Oni have been rejected for too long," Torcher complained. "Your kind turned us away, so now we do the same."
"Last time we met I watched you be killed," Siann said as she drew a knife and went to thrust it through the gate and into Torcher but he stepped back whilst chuckling.
"Surely there's a peaceful solution to this!" Mika cried out.
"Clearly you do not understand what realm you're in!" Torcher complained.
"One that needs serious change," Mika replied.
"Here's your change," Torcher announced, "the Oni run this place, therefore you're not welcome here."
"This is so unfair!" Kia complained.
"If you refuse our passage then it's only fair that I use this," Jataaka threatened as she pointed her laser sword at Torcher.
"Crush them," Torcher ordered his fellow Oni. "When you reform I hope you learn to stay away."
"That's not happening," Sareena replied as the two Oni Warlords guarding the gate climbed over the walls with ease due to their giant height.
"It's not?!" Mika asked, frightened by the Oni Warlords.
Suddenly, a blast of boiling water emitted from within Nekros. The heat and high pressure of the water combined was enough to cut through an Oni Warlord. A shadowy figure then emerged from a cloudy portal in the ground, leaping out of it and driving his sickle through the other Oni Warlord, cutting them clean in half.
"It's not," Hydro confirmed as he slid between Torcher's legs as he charged at him and pulled an old lever to automatically raise the gate.
"It seems we still find each other as allies," Noob remarked.
"Thanks for the save, Noobie," Kia said gratefully whilst Noob groaned at the nickname.
"You're welcome too," Hydro muttered. "These freaks have overrun this city."
"The Wraiths of the Brotherhood of Shadow that I command and the Spectres of Hydro's…"
"Business," Hydro called it.
"We've been working together to fight them here," Noob revealed. "I knew Iris was too weak to retain the throne for anywhere as long as Shinnok…"
"And in that time he's done more than Shinnok's done ever," Mika quipped as Noob sighed.
"You pathetic rebels!" Torcher yelled. "I'll kill you all!"
"You don't want a repeat of our last encounter, do you?" Solrac Enaj asked as she and Ruutuu approached.
"You think I fear you?!" Torcher scoffed as he began creating lava in his hands that dripped to the path they stood on, melting it in an instant.
"Brother!" Moloch's voice howled as he charged through the city, careless of the civilians who were observing the ongoing events as he chucked them aside. "Do not fight them, brother!"
"The Oni do not surrender, Moloch!" Torcher replied. "You know this best!"
"I'm not suggesting a surrender," Moloch clarified, "I'm passing a message from Drahmin!"
"What does your skinny paramour want now?!" Torcher asked angrily.
"Well the message was sort of passed from Lord Quan Chi to him to me," Moloch once more provided clarification.
"Quan Chi?" Noob turned to listen.
"Get on with it, brother," Torcher ordered, "then we can crush these puny weaklings together!"
"Quan Chi wishes to retain the services of the Brotherhood of Shadow," Moloch revealed slowly as he began reading off a note he was given that his hands made it look miniscule. "He is aware that the faction has become protectors of this realm and he wants that role to continue, but he also wants warriors with suitable skills for an important mission of his… I don't know what that is."
"I accept," Noob said immediately.
"That was rather eager, no?" Hydro asked.
"The Deadly Alliance does reward their allies well," Moloch confirmed.
"Take a look at us after all," Torcher added to his brother's point.
"Drahmin also requested that reckless behaviour must stop amongst the Oni, brother," Moloch reported.
"I'm no such thing!" Torcher argued.
"Try not to get yourself killed… again," Moloch requested. "Now, what do you Wraiths say to Quan Chi's offer?"
"This would be a good opportunity," Solrac considered. "It beats being rebels."
"For once we are in agreement," Ruutuu replied. "We do not benefit from our current position."
"And I'm practically a mercenary!" Hydro argued. "Yet even I think serving the Deadly Alliance is too far."
"I never mentioned you being in this alliance," Moloch remarked.
"Who's the other sorcerer?" Noob asked. "I heard the Deadly Alliance is two sorcerers and I can tell Quan Chi is one… who else?"
"Somebody get this noob up to speed!" Solrac demanded.
"Shang Tsung," Moloch revealed.
"He caused my death!" Noob snapped.
"Pretty sure both sorcerers contributed," Hydro quipped.
"Then don't join them, Noob!" Sareena spoke up.
"Me and Kia have worked with you for Quan Chi and Shinnok," Jataaka recalled. "We were all manipulated into that service!"
"That's what Quan Chi does for all his servants!" Ashrah added. "Even the Oni!"
"What?!" Torcher scoffed. "They've made us rulers!"
"And they want power," Ashrah pointed out. "How long before they take yours?"
"Our service gives them power!" Torcher argued.
"You're thinking of rejoining Quan Chi's side because of what exactly?" Sareena asked Noob. "You were fighting Quan Chi! Gave me the courage to fight him too, I helped you defeat him!"
"And that's the sorcerer you're giving your service to?" Hydro asked.
"Zip it, Spectre!" Torcher demanded as he pointed a magma dripping finger at Hydro.
"I sense his soul," Ashrah said as she placed a hand on her Kriss. "Usually those who managed to make it to this realm without originating here must've done some true evil… but I sense you've been dealt an unfair life."
"This place has corrupted you," Mika told him. "I have experience in this, I can help!"
"And despite your corruption you can still sense that something is wrong!" Sareena added.
"Enough!" Noob Saibot yelled as he clutched onto his head. "I don't know what to think anymore!"
"Let us-" Sareena went to offer a hand but it was cut by Noob's sickle.
"Stop trying to trick me!" Noob demanded. "Quan Chi was the only person to help me when I entered the realm!"
"Because he wanted to manipulate you!" Hydro explained.
"And where were you?!" Noob questioned.
"It's an infinite realm," Hydro pointed out, "cut me some slack for not looking around for a Wraith that looks nothing like my best friend who I didn't even know had died!"
"I have no time for this!" Moloch howled, silencing the argument. "My supper is getting cold!"
"Make your decision, Noob Saibot," Torcher ordered.
"I'm sure Quan Chi has an explanation," Noob told himself. "I'll go with you to see him."
"Then I'm coming too," Hydro sighed. "Someone's got to keep you in check."
"If you keep judging me then I'll slice your throat!" Noob threatened.
"You're welcome!" Hydro said sarcastically. "I'm glad you value the importance of a caring friend!"
"Gather your warriors and meet Lord Drahmin at the Spire," Moloch instructed.
"My assassins aren't getting involved in this," Hydro clarified. "Just me."
"I don't care," Moloch said bluntly, "I'm waiting for the Brotherhood of Shadow Wraiths!"
"I'll gather them immediately!" Noob said before using his portals to travel through Nekros.
"I suggest the rest of you depart," Torcher advised the Demons.
"Not a chance!" Siann spoke confidently. "Let's get him, girls!"
Siann led a charge at Torcher and Moloch only to be interrupted by a portal of swirling green magic. Stepping through was Quan Chi, kicking Siann back and shattering her knife with a blast of magic. He then stood beside Torcher, Moloch, Solrac, Ruutuu and Hydro.
"I was watching from the balcony at the Spire," Quan Chi explained. "You can see all of Nekros from there, a really nice place," he then turned to the Oni Beast Torcher to say, "I trust you have gained the Wraith's allegiance," Quan Chi spoke.
"It is an honour, Lord Quan Chi," Ruutuu said as he and Solrac bowed.
"The great manipulator himself!" Cilene announced.
"I prefer the title of great influencer," Quan corrected her, "but it's nice to see you again, Cilene."
"Don't talk to me," Cilene ordered.
"I presume you're upset about that pathetic Hellbat of yours?" Quan Chi asked.
"What did you do to Dodger?!" Cilene gasped.
"I do nothing," Quan Chi explained as he summoned his own much larger Hellbat. "But Puggles did."
"Fuck you," Cilene cursed as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"How unsophisticated," Quan Chi mocked. "You Demons have spent too much time with Earthrealmers."
"His name is Puggles?!" Siann asked as she got up after being kicked down to help comfort Cilene.
"Better name than Dodger!" Quan Chi taunted. "The little creature couldn't even dodge Puggles!"
"Leave her alone, sorcerer!" Ashrah demanded as she readied her Kriss.
"Is this a little reunion?" Drahmin asked.
"My former minions," Quan Chi explained. "The traitors who should be locked up in the Spire's dungeons in my place!"
"We'll lock you up for good next time!" Cilene threatened as she hit a jumping punch on Quan Chi who laughed the strike off.
"How do you expect to do that?" Quan Chi asked.
"Exactly what happened last time," Sareena yelled as she ran at Quan Chi.
"Look, it's the backstabber!" Quan Chi replied as he summoned one of his broadswords to block Sareena's incoming Demon Fang swing.
"You best be taking good care of my sword, Sareena!" Siann quipped.
"You best be helping me!" Siann grunted as she duelled with the more experienced swordsman.
"Let's get him!" Sora yelled as the Demons rushed at Quan Chi.
"Don't just stand there!" Quan Chi yelled. "Deal with these traitors!"
"I'll take my time," Hydro muttered whilst Torcher and Moloch charged into action.
"I've been waiting for this!" Torcher cheered excitedly as he grabbed Moloch by the hand and spun him around.
Moloch extended his arm out, his Mystical Orb dropping into his hand from Herald the owl who watched from above. Spinning towards his foes, Moloch wiped out Siann and Cilene who were right behind Sareena. Quan Chi kicked Sareena in the shin, dropping her to one knee. Quan Chi summoned his other broadsword and swung it at Sareena's neck, parrying the strike before dashing away from another blow incoming from Quan's other broadsword that was an overhead swing.
A newfound ability of Sareena's as she trained with fellow Demons in Hellven, was that she could travel with fire. By throwing a spark of fire from her hand to the side of Quan Chi, she could dash to it at an equal speed of flames spreading. This created a bizarre effect to the naked eye due to the speed of her travel with Quan Chi seeing double momentarily before registering her updated position. But it was too late for the sorcerer to react, with Sareena already thrusting a fist engulfed in fire that winded Quan Chi as it struck him in the gut.
"I never taught you that…" Quan Chi grunted.
"You never taught us anything," Sareena argued as she threw a fireball that was batted aside by a broadsword.
"Without me you would've never had access to the sources needed to learn any magic!" Quan Chi shouted before sliding along the pavement, delivering a kick as he came close to Sareena that propelled her into the air. "So ungrateful!"
Cilene ran at Quan Chi, only for Puggles to distract her by spitting bursts of fire. Cilene rolled aside to avoid the fire. Puggles continued his attacks though, with Cilene completely unarmed and unable to fight the aerial threat. She couldn't bring herself to try anyway, not after losing Dodger. As she thought about her pet Hellbat, she thought she saw something flying ahead in the distance. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she was just imagining things… but what she saw was real.
"Dodger!" Cilene cried out happily. "You found us!"
Dodger swooped on top of Puggles, biting into his head as he drove him to the ground. Dodger then flew into Cilene's arms. Despite only being separated for a brief time, Cilene had been so worried that the Hellbat would be unable to find his whereabouts after reforming, making the chances of reuniting with his owner slim.
"Good boy!" Cilene hugged him.
"How pathetic," Quan Chi rolled his eyes before vanishing Puggles with a small portal. "That's enough of you for today."
Dodger screeched at Quan Chi before spitting a fireball at him. Able to use his broadswords once again to protect himself from fire magic, he hadn't paid attention to Cilene as she ran in and punched him in the face. Quan Chi grunted angrily, feeling blood dripping from his nose.
"How foolish," Torcher said as he grabbed Cilene from behind and slammed her into part of the walls surrounding Nekros. "You had a chance to retreat and yet you attempted to challenge us."
Sora approached Torcher but was slammed to the ground with a single hand. As she tried to stand up, Mika leapt off her back and slammed her bizarre custom-made Wind Blade into Torcher's face, the cold air of the Netherrealm spinning the loose blades around.
"I didn't want to do that!" Mika clarified before being thrown off by Solrac and Ruutuu as they ran over and knocked her down with a double lariat.
"That was a poor mistake," Ruutuu commented.
"A big one," Solrac added as the two Wraiths circled Mika. "Let's get her!"
"Nobody touches her!" Mika yelled as she summoned her cudgel and pushed it at the two Wraiths. The length of the stick allowed her to knock them both down. "I have your back, dear."
"I know you do," Mika replied as Sora helped her up. "Thank you."
"Remarkable!" Torcher shouted as he felt the deep cuts that were causing lava blood to ooze from his skull. "Such a deep wound!"
"You sound… pleased?" Mika spoke with confusion as she stood behind Sora as she pointed her cudgel at the Oni Beast.
"It shall leave a great battle scar!" Torcher cheered. "Until my next life that is…"
"So our wounds do fully heal upon restoration!" Mika was glad to have confirmation, always wanting to learn more about her native realm. "Why wear the eyepatch then?"
"At one point I needed it because of him!" Torcher pointed at Quan Chi.
"I appreciate the credit," Quan Chi quipped.
"But now? I wear it because eyepatches are imposing!" Torcher yelled.
"Oni having a fashion sense?" Hydro rolled his eyes. "What next?"
"Quiet, Spectre!" Torcher yelled. "Are you here to aid us or not?"
"Not him," Hydro pointed to Quan Chi who laughed at him. "What's so funny, sorcerer?"
"Why do Spectres always hold a grudge?" Quan Chi asked as he rolled his eyes. "And has he not agreed to serve me?"
"He did," Torcher confirmed.
"I'm not one for fancy contracts," Quan Chi told the Spectre. "Your word alone is enough to seal the deal."
"Give us a hand already!" Solrac demanded as she and Ruutuu struggled in a battle against Kia and Jataaka.
Kia launched her boomerang blades at Ruutuu who ducked them, the blades instead stabbing Solrac who yelled in a tone of sheer rage rather than physical pain. Solrac constructed a weapon out of shadow, typically preferring wild blades at the end of makeshift chains. This time she summoned a pair of guillotines attached to the end of black chain. She threw the chained guillotines at Kia, who ducked one guillotine only for the chain of the other to wrap around her leg. Solrac dragged Kia into the air before giving Ruutuu a step up. Ruutuu summoned a mace which he smashed down on Kia's chest as they crashed into the ground.
"No!" Jataaka screamed as she ran forth, using her laser sword to blast Solrac aside.
Ruutuu went to strike Jataaka with his shadow mace, but Jataaka's physical sword cut through the oil-like shadow energy and sliced his chest open. Black blood splattered out onto Jataaka. Her gothic attire obscured the blood stains, however. Hydro then rushed in, using water on his feet to slide into Jataaka with an elbow smash.
"Nothing personal," Hydro apologised as he drew his pair of katanas. "I best be getting paid for this job, Quan!"
"I never asked for your services!" Quan Chi yelled whilst trying to remain concentrated on his duel with Sareena. "You'll get paid in work experience, ninja!"
"Whatever you say, boss," Hydro sighed.
"I'll handle him," Ashrah decided as she stepped forth, Kriss readied. "Don't make me do this."
"Don't make me do this!" Hydro repeated. "Surrender!"
"Not a chance," Ashrah replied.
"Let's do this then," Hydro decided.
Hydro lunged forward, his katanas slicing through the air with precision. Ashrah evaded the attack effortlessly, gracefully sidestepping Hydro's swift strikes. The clash of metal echoed through the clearing as their weapons met in a dazzling display of skill and power. Hydro pressed on, his dual blades moving in a blur. He executed a series of intricate slashes, each one aimed at finding an opening in Ashrah's defences. But Ashrah proved to be a formidable opponent, skillfully parrying each strike with the Kriss, her movements fluid and graceful.
Sensing an opportunity, Hydro swiftly changed his strategy. He disengaged momentarily, using a burst of speed to circle around Ashrah, hoping to catch her off guard. As he lunged forward again, his katanas arched towards her, aiming to strike from an unexpected angle.
However, Ashrah anticipated the manoeuvre. With a flick of her wrist, she spun the Kriss in a mesmerising display of dexterity. Ashrah's Kriss deflected Hydro's attack, redirecting his momentum. Reacting swiftly, Ashrah countered, her Kriss flashing forward with deadly accuracy as the tip of the Kriss' blade emitted a blast of light energy that travelled towards Hydro.
Hydro's reflexes saved him from a fatal blow, but the Kriss left a shallow cut across his arm. Ignoring the pain, he retaliated with a fierce flurry of strikes, setting his katanas aflame with Hellfire before whirling them around through the air with great speed. Ashrah matched his intensity, her Kriss becoming a blur as she deflected and parried, narrowly avoiding each lethal strike. Wielding more than one sword, Hydro managed to disarm Ashrah, launching the Kriss through the air as it stabbed into the ground. As he rushed at Ashrah, she executed her spin cycle. Bright energy surrounded her and launched Hydro away, crashing him into the back of Torcher.
"Hey!" Torcher yelled as he turned to face Hydro. He had been busy dealing with several of the Demons as they tried to reach Quan Chi and Sareena who continued to battle it out. "Watch it, mercenary!"
"That's not my fault!" Hydro argued whilst Torcher grabbed an incoming cudgel attack from Sora, grabbing the weapon between his index finger and thumb and dragging Sora into his grasp.
"Not your fault?" Torcher repeated as he lifted Sora into the air, dangling her over his head.
"You should've kept out of the way!" Hydro told him.
"Well now you're in mine!" Torcher complained.
"A little help?!" Sora requested.
"I've got you!" Mika yelled as she ran in.
As he was distracted by Hydro, Torcher was unable to react fast enough as Mika leapt into, her wind blades spinning rapidly through the air, as they crashed down on Torcher and sliced through his neck. Torcher collapsed to the ground, lifeless once more, but he would soon reform.
"Eek!" Mika screamed as she helped Sora up. "Can we swap weapons?!"
"I'm not using that!" Sora told her.
"I made it ages ago," Mika admitted. "I think I need a change."
"Torcher!" Moloch howled.
"I didn't mean to, Moloch!" Mika tried to explain.
"DIE!" Moloch screamed as his shouting released a gush of wind that blew all the Demons back, outside the gates. Mika tried to hold onto the lever, only accidentally closing the gate as she lost her grip and was blown outside of Nekros with the rest.
"Calm down, you oaf!" Quan Chi instructed. "He'll come back!"
"That doesn't make it any less awful!" Moloch yelled as he pushed Quan Chi aside. The sorcerer sighed as he saw the Demons begin their retreat as Dodger flew away from his scuffle with Puggles.
"Thanks to your stupidity, we have lost the traitors!" Quan Chi complained.
"Be quiet!" Moloch shouted. "Or I'll crush you!"
"Attempt it and your people will suffer," Quan Chi threatened. "Go and calm down, we'll wait for Noob to return…"
Whilst Quan Chi awaited the return of his Brotherhood of Shadow clan, what remained of it at least, Belokk had left Nekros to go and visit his parents whose downfall had been caused by Quan Chi's actions long ago. Due to Iris releasing most of the old prisoners in the dungeons of the Spire, Lucifer and Lilith joined those released due to being imprisoned for unjust reasons. Although never having a positive relationship with his parents, Belokk admittedly felt some regret for his actions that aided Shinnok in ruling the Netherrealm and led to the eternal imprisonment of his parents. He offered them a secluded house deep into the first plane which his guards had built as some form of compensation, and a place of relaxation. With Iris overruled, Belokk sought their aid…
"Hello?" Belokk called out as he knocked on the door.
The house stood as a foreboding structure, exuding an air of darkness and malevolence. Its exterior was forged from blackened obsidian, a jagged and imposing facade that seemed to absorb all light that dared to touch it.
At the front door, Belokk continued to bang on the heavy wood that had been painted a dark brooding red. Its surface was etched with intricate, twisted black patterns that seemed to writhe and shift when viewed from certain angles, as if they were alive with a dark energy. The wood had faded to a deep ebony, its natural grain obscured by time and the touch of malevolence.
Embedded within the door were ornate, rusted hinges made from Outworld Steel, their curves and flourishes reminiscent of sinister tendrils. These hinges groaned with each movement, as if they protested against the opening of the door, unleashing the secrets held within. Their rusted surfaces hinted at years of neglect, mirroring the decay that surrounded the house. Belokk sighed at the sight, two decades was hardly anytime in the Netherrealm at all!
"How could they have left you in such a state?" Belokk muttered to himself before banging on the door again.
"What do you want?!" Lucifer asked angrily as he swung the door open, groaning at the sight on his doorstep. "Child…"
"Old man…" Belokk grumbled.
"What do you want?" Lucifer repeated himself.
"Where's Mother?" Belokk asked as he looked past his shoulder into the imposing interior of the house.
"Who knows," Lucifer replied. "I forced her to leave as soon as you gave us this pathetic abode."
"Better than that dungeon, no?"
"The one that you locked us in?!"
"Yes," Belokk nodded.
"Hardly," Lucifer reviewed. "The only real positive is I do not have to listen to Lilith's voice."
"Never talk about her like that again!" Belokk demanded.
"Suddenly you pretend to care about the family you forsook?"
"I thought you two were on positive terms!" Belokk shouted. "This home was for the pair of you!"
"We cannot co-exist," Lucifer claimed. "Prison proved such. She drove me insane!"
"That much is apparent," Belokk remarked, only for Lucifer to violently grab him by the throat and press him against a wall.
"Because of your betrayal I had to endure sharing that enclosed space with her everyday for…" Lucifer paused as he tried to think. "I cannot even fathom how long we were trapped there!"
"Get off me!" Belokk demanded as he summoned the enchanted kwan dao which he had wielded ever since betraying his parents.
"My weapon!" Lucifer recognised it immediately. "Pathetic that you stole this from me!"
Belokk swung the bladed weapon but Lucifer grabbed the kwan dao with ease due to Belokk only being able to hold it with a single hand. After snatching the weapon from his son, Lucifer impaled Belokk beneath his chestplate. Blood poured from his exposed red skin whilst Lucifer laughed.
"I…" Belokk tried to speak whilst Lucifer rammed his kwan dao into the wall, trapping Belokk against it. "I… just wanted your… help…"
"MY help?!" Lucifer burst out into laughter again. "My own family ruined my life!"
"I'm…" Belokk went to apologise but Lucifer grabbed his lips.
"Silence!" Lucifer demanded. "Help with what exactly?!"
"The Oni…" Belokk tried to explain with what little energy he had left. "They've taken over…"
Lucifer merely grinned at the news.
"The realm I once rightfully ruled!" Lucifer began a speech whilst Belokk struggled to maintain consciousness. "A pure blooded God sent to control these pathetic underlings!"
"They're more than that!" Belokk snapped angrily as he began pulling the kwan dao out of his body. "I've seen it!"
"Your dreams of progression for these people," Lucifer rolled his eyes. "Look where they've gotten you!"
"I was wrong about Shinnok…" Belokk admitted as Lucifer slowly began pushing the kwan dao back into his body. "Agh! But I… I've seen it! Seen what… a good ruler… truly good leadership for this realm… I've now seen what it can truly do!"
"You'll witness it soon enough!" Lucifer promised. "This state of uncertainty is the perfect chance for my return!"
Before Belokk could even reply, Lucifer created a ball of red flames which he burst at point blank range, smashing Belokk through the wall as Belokk ripped the kwan dao out of his stomach violently amidst the explosion.
"I've spent centuries planning for this child," Lucifer said as he approached Belokk as he struggled to get up. "Both my plan to rule again and my revenge!"
"Damn you!" Belokk yelled as the remainder of his energy went into summoning Lilith's dagger and failing to stab Lucifer with it.
"Robbing her blind too?" Lucifer joked as he squeezed Belokk's wrist, causing him to drop the blade. "Thank you, child."
"Do it!" Belokk yelled as Lucifer placed the dagger against his throat.
"No," Lucifer refused. "I have other plans for you, child."
"What?"
Lucifer dragged Belokk by his chestplate, bringing him inside his home. He brought Belokk over to the basement of his house, kicking him down the stairway. He put the enchanted weapons to one side on a table before summoning some handcuffs.
"I've enchanted these to ensure that the wearer is rendered powerless," Lucifer revealed whilst summoning a thin obsidian post in the centre of the basement. "Killing you would be too easy… too generous."
Lucifer shoved Belokk into the post before putting the handcuffs around one wrist, walking behind the post before grabbing the other. This restrained Belokk to the post, he was unable to break free. He no longer even had the energy left to resist.
"You will suffer as I have!" Lucifer promised. "I will torment you everyday as I did to Shinnok!"
"Lady Iris…" Belokk prayed weakly. "Save me…"
"Iris?!" Lucifer laughed as he began to leave the basement. "That's her name! I'll be sure to destroy her too… if the Oni haven't done so already…"
Iris remained in the lava sea that she had been knocked into during the surprise assault of the Oni that was aided by the wicked sorcerer Shang Tsung. To save herself from the lava, Iris had created a pair of large cupped skeleton hands to protect her. The only issue was that she couldn't see anything, and she couldn't peek outside due to the hands sinking into the deep lava. She was at least able to wait patiently due to how long she had been waiting to reform a body after her first death to Shao Kahn… although she had no desire of waiting too much longer.
"Finally!" Iris said to herself as she felt the hands slam into a wall.
Iris had been waiting for the flow of the lava to carry her close to shore, now her protective hands had reached it. The remaining issue was getting out without being melted by all the surrounding lava. But Iris had been given plenty of time to come up with a mental plan. Using her bone manipulation abilities, Iris created a spear and rammed it into the side of the hand. Lava started to pour through the hole she had stabbed into the hand. Knowing she didn't have much time, Iris quickly thrusted the spear forth again, this time it dug into the nearby land. Iris transformed the spear into a large spade.
Using her strength, Iris pulled away a chunk of the ground. She then controlled the bone hands, digging them into the hole she had made. This allowed Iris to step over to her makeshift tunnel, encasing herself with a wall made of various bones as the bone hands collapsed. Iris couldn't see anything after sealing herself underground, but she knew where she was heading. Reaching up, Iris felt the ceiling. She then dug into the obsidian that surrounded her. The near indestructible material was no match for Iris' godly strength. After a few minutes, Iris began pushing the land apart, creating a small ravine leading to the surface. Summoning a bone-made ladder, Iris climbed up. Another several minutes later, Iris had made it to the surface, having completely avoided the lava sea.
"Look here!" An Oni Fleshy, Drahmin's subspecies of Oni, yelled which gathered the attention of his group. "It's Iris herself!"
"Have you boys been searching for me?" Iris questioned.
"We were actually looking for our supper," the Oni Fleshy replied as his group approached. "But we'll be rewarded with a feast once we tell Lord Drahmin that you're still around!"
"How do you plan to reach him?" Iris asked as he lifted the Oni up.
The rest of the Oni Fleshies ran at Iris who threw the one Oni aside. She grabbed the first incoming Oni by the face, slamming them down on the back of their head with such force that it crushed their skull. Another Oni leapt on her back, only to be slammed into a jagged rock. The final one attempting an attack on the God was quickly impaled by a bone spear. The Oni who had been speaking to Iris was running away, but Iris summoned a hand from the ground that grabbed the Oni and threw him to Iris.
"How do you plan to reach him now?" Iris asked again.
"We reform, idiot!" The Oni insulted her. "Do your worst!"
"Fine," Iris shrugged before dumping the Oni into the lava sea beside them. "Drahmin… I'm coming for you…"
Raiden, a Protector God much like Iris, had returned to Earthrealm. He hadn't anticipated the pursuit of Abaddon. He transported the two to the Sky Temple. Raiden intended on once more recharging his powers under the realisation that he had foolishly wasted them, but Abaddon persisted that the fight must continue. Raiden flew to the rooftop of the over a thousand foot tall tower. Abaddon began climbing up the tower with ease, soon joining him at the top.
"You're mine, Thunder God!" Abaddon shouted as she ripped off a fence and pulled herself onto the rooftop.
"No," Raiden shook his head. "You're finished."
In the centre of the rooftop was a war hammer belonging to Raiden, its metal acting as a lightning conductor. Sending a lightning blast down onto the hammer, imbuing it with power as he picked it up and threw it into Abaddon. The mutated Oni Beast stumbled back, but remained standing. Raiden teleported in front of her but was batted aside by a devastating backfist. Raiden smashed through a fence on the opposite side of the roof, slamming down onto a lower balcony below.
"I'll crush you!" Abaddon yelled as she leapt off the roof and went to stomp on Raiden from above.
The Thunder God rolled aside, Abaddon nearly shattering through the stone surface that they stood on. Raiden began firing blasts of lightning, trying to hold her back but she continued to approach. Abaddon went to grab Raiden but he teleported behind her. Abaddon had become used to Raiden's teleportation antics from their fight alone, she didn't even need to turn around as she rightfully predicted he'd be right behind her. With a back kick, Abaddon launched Raiden into a wall. Stunned from the blow, Abaddon managed to grab Raiden.
"Little insect," she mocked. "I'll enjoy dissecting you!"
Before Abaddon could act on her threat, a bunch of rocks landed on her head. Clutching onto the back of her skull, Abaddon staggered back and looked up to see Cetrion, the Fallen Elder God. Abaddon growled, the distraction allowing Raiden to electrocute her arm. Throwing him off, Abaddon turned back to Cetrion only to be clubbed by a boulder large enough to push her over the balcony. Abaddon fell over a thousand feet, the impact exploding her massive body into several pieces. With her heart intact though, she was still alive despite the immense pain. Finally, however, Abaddon was willing to withdraw as her several severed limbs began to teleport back to the Netherrealm where she'd reconnect her bizarre body.
"Thank you," Raiden said as he stood back up.
"It's my job," Cetrion replied.
"Why are you here, Cetrion?" Raiden asked as Cetrion floated down towards him.
"I came here to check on you," Cetrion explained. "Your brother was-"
"Worried?" Raiden guessed. "He should worry about himself."
"Care to explain what an Oni was doing here?" Cetrion asked. "I've never seen one as strong as that."
"Being an Elder God means you don't see much at all," Raiden muttered.
"Why do you think I relinquished my status?!" Cetrion asked with audible frustration. "This attitude is exactly why people like your brother are concerned!"
"I need to help stop the Deadly Alliance," Raiden stated. "Have the Paragons of Virtue acted upon the news of their presence?"
"They are focused on Earthrealm matters, Raiden," Cetrion clarified.
"They are an Earthrealm matter!" Raiden snapped. "They murdered Liu Kang!"
"And I'm sorry for it," Cetrion apologised. "But my command isn't as simple as sending a group to Outworld to create a war."
"Perhaps that's what is needed," Raiden remarked. "Strike first before they can target Earthrealm!"
"How can you say that?!" Cetrion asked. "Forging a war?"
"You aren't providing alternative options," Raiden argued.
"I understand that you're grieving," Cetrion said calmly, "but this isn't you."
"My past attitude led to Earthrealm being invaded twice," Raiden pointed out. "I won't let there be a third time!"
"I agree that we should prevent that entirely," Cetrion replied. "But you're in no suitable state of mind to begin orchestrating anything!"
"Then why don't you form a plan?!" Raiden asked.
"We don't have to," Cetrion clarified, "because I've already tasked Geras and our Champion to gather more information."
"They best return with some important news," Raiden commented.
"They will," Cetrion promised. "My brother is up to the task and our Champion was handpicked by the Elder Gods themselves!"
"That fact is not a positive," Raiden claimed. "Monster is a figure of mystique…"
"So you shouldn't judge what you don't know," Cetrion advised.
"I cannot trust him!" Raiden snapped.
"If you're so insistent on helping then I can have you join their mission," Cetrion suggested. "But I seriously would recommend that you take a break, Raiden, with all due respect."
"Not when a force as evil as the Deadly Alliance is around," Raiden replied. "But… I suppose I could rest… I was returning to the Jinsei Chamber after all."
"Yes," Cetrion agreed in a soft tone. "I think that's a great idea."
"When should I join the mission?" Raiden asked.
"I'll return tomorrow," Cetrion promised. "We have a lair in Outworld that I shall transport you to."
"Thank you," Raiden said with sincere gratitude. "I apologise for my outbursts… it's just been a lot lately."
"It has indeed," Cetrion agreed. "I hope you feel better in the morning."
"Farewell for now."