Passing through the wide open gates to the Highlands Tower of the Shadow Priests, Epos gasped for breath after her long climb up the mountain. The sun had set and the purple sky began turning pitch black. Epos sighed as she knew she had to climb up the marble spiral staircase to get up the enormous tower. It took her several minutes, however, she heard rummaging in the monastery area of the tower.
"Darling?" Epos called out for Talon.
"Epos?!" Talon spun around to see her beloved. "How'd you get here?"
"A long walk… and climb," she panted. "I've been looking all over for you!"
"I'm sorry," Talon apologised. "I've just been busy."
"You always come home at night," Epos reminded her. "Were you just here the whole time? I came home and-"
"Didn't you see my note?" Talon asked. "I left it on our bed."
"Yes," Epos confirmed with a sigh. "It didn't specify what 'business' you had to take care of though!"
"I didn't expect you to be trying to track me down!" Talon argued.
"I need you!" Epos yelled.
"Sorry," Talon noticed her lover's genuine stress. "What's wrong?"
"The Deadly Alliance… they're forcing the last of the Kahn Guard into obeying them!"
"Then don't listen to them," Talon advised. "I sure didn't."
"You don't understand," Epos elaborated, "they're taking traitors very seriously, there's already wanted posters for Union members scattered everywhere!"
"You can't just quit?"
"It's Outworld tyrants," Epos pointed out. "What do you think?"
"Of course they'd say that," Talon sighed.
"You have to as well," Epos reminded her, which made Talon groan. "After you escape, the Deadly Alliance said one thing to me personally… they ordered that if I don't get you to pledge allegiance then they'd kill us… kill you…"
"I remember them threatening us all too well," Talon clenched her fists in rage before easing her tension to gently embrace Epos. "Did they hurt you?"
"No," Epos shook her hand as she hugged her back. "Them giving me that mission to force you back into service was all they did… as if you're just some pet that I get to control?"
"They're sick," Talon concluded. "We're tough enough to fight for ourselves though."
"I'm not living a life on the run from these guys!" Epos shouted as she pushed herself out of their hug. "They already know where we live!"
"What?!"
"One of the squire's told me they'd searched Reiko's main camp," Epos explained as Talon paced around the open room, walking around the pillars in frustration. "He had a safe that contained addresses of all his soldiers, for his deliverers to bring our food and payment."
"That's not very secure," Talon complained, although Epos expected her to be more emotional about the news.
"We're not in Earthrealm," Epos argued. "No fancy security here, darling, you know that."
"About that…"
"What now?"
"This is good news!" Talon promised. "I just wanted to hear you out because I wanted to make sure you're fine."
"What do you define 'fine' as exactly?" Epos questioned.
"Listen!" Talon requested. "I was making some final arrangements for the Shadow Priests, the ones that still have my back, and just now I'm gathering my belongings."
"You're quitting?"
"Yes," Talon confirmed. "More importantly is that we're leaving."
"To where?"
"Earthrealm," Talon informed her. "I know someone, she said she'll get us sorted if I meet her in Charred Mountain."
"That's just the name of some mountain," Epos pointed out. "How do you know where that is exactly?"
"Someone gave me its location details," Talon clarified. "I've already made a portal scanning it out, I know where we're heading."
"Who's this someone?" Epos asked.
"You'll find out," Talon promised. "If I tell you now I'm honestly worried you'll not want to go through with this."
"That really helps," Epos said sarcastically.
"Look she made an offer for a place to live and work," Talon explained. "It's away from this nightmare… it seems like the perfect getaway."
"Still seems like there's no other option," Epos sighed.
"This is the only positive one," Talon corrected her. "Just trust me, love, please?"
"Of course," Epos replied. "I always will."
"I think I have everything here," Talon stated as she searched through her bag. "I'll take us home, gather the rest of our things, and we leave this realm."
"That does sound great," Epos admitted as she kissed Talon. "Let's get out of here, darling."
"Not so fast!"
Orelia, the golden Shadow Priest and their new leader, arrived with several Shadow Priests beside her. They all began conjuring spells, ready to attack the couple at a moment's notice.
"I genuinely forgot about her taking your position," Epos admitted as she drew her maces.
"It will be the last thing you remember now!" Orelia yelled. "This is blatant treason and for that you… will die!"
"When did the rest of you get in here?" Talon asked.
"Your remaining loyalists did well to cover for you," Orelia applauded before stepping aside to reveal a group of Shadow Priests dragging the corpses of other Shadow Priests inside.
"No!" Talon cried out.
"This wouldn't have happened if you weren't plotting against the Deadly Alliance!" Orelia snapped.
"Did all this time under this very roof mean nothing to you?!" Talon asked.
"Poor bird," Orelia cackled like a witch behind her golden mask. "You're in a CULT, not a happy family!"
"The Deadly Alliance goes against Shao Kahn's vision!" Epos argued. "Why side with them?!"
"You think we've all been loyal to that pig?" Orelia questioned. "Shang Tsung trained us! We owe it to him!"
"How many of you has he indoctrinated because he did one nice thing for you centuries ago?!" Epos asked.
"Quite the hypocrisy, Epos," Orelia tutted.
"You don't know me."
"But I do!" Orelia corrected. "Your fellow soldiers are quite talkative when pain is involved. I'm shocked they did so well under the Kahn Guard."
"You were torturing them just to know about her?!" Talon was shocked.
"I'm a nobody!" Epos commented angrily.
"I was trying to break the resistant ones," Orelia clarified. "They either agreed to serve… or died amidst the torture."
"What did they tell you?" Epos asked as she clutched her own arm nervously.
"You come from that town that's built over a thick viaduct, correct?" Orelia interrogated.
"Qiao Lu," Epos named it.
"That's it!" Orelia recognised the name. "Was a popular place for Kahn Guard soldiers, must've been quite an impressionable environment growing up."
"If all you're going to do is make my beloved question her life choices then let's just fight right now!" Talon interjected, refusing to back down.
"I've surpassed you," Orelia warned. "One more question though, Epos, please?"
"Get on with it," Epos demanded.
"Do you still live in your hometown?"
"You know…" Epos realised. "I said they would, Talon!"
"I would've used it as leverage to get your loyalty," Orelia confessed. "But since I hear you're planning on moving out, I'll make sure it's burnt to ashes alongside your corpses."
"Are you finished?!" Talon asked as she began charging her dark magic.
"I'd rather our things not get burnt down, Talon!" Epos yelled. "Make a portal there and we'll get it!"
"You go," Talon summoned a portal behind Epos to their address. "I'll deal with her."
"We're seriously doing this again?!"
"If we don't she'll just make her own portal!" Talon counter argued. "I promise I'll be with you in a moment, just get everything packed!"
"Just stay safe," Epos requested as she reluctantly headed through the portal.
"That's not possible," Orelia laughed. "No doubt she's what's hindered your potential as a sorceress, Talon."
"Stop talking about my wife," Talon ordered.
"Why?" Orelia smirked behind her golden mask. "Is she-"
Before Orelia could even make another comment, Talon dashed across the monastery and punched Orelia in the face with a fist full of magic. The blast hurled Orelia through a pillar and she was pulled up by string-like energy constructs from her Shadow Priest allies who now followed her leadership instead of Talon's. A crack was left in Orelia's mask, revealing a face of rage before she spread more gold to conceal it. She then stomped on the floor, the tiles turning into gold. Orelia selected several tiles to transform into blob shaped monsters of melted gold that swam around Talon.
Talon attempted to use energy projectiles to push the constructs back but they began closing in on her, unphased by her retaliating attack. She then took flight, smashing through the ceiling. Orelia clapped her hands together, merging the golden constructs into one giant hand that stretched up the tower to grab Talon as she flew up. Orelia commanded the other Shadow Priests to follow her, each having learnt their own power under the guidance of Shang Tsung himself.
The rest of the Shadow Priests flew up to Talon who was struggling with the grasp of the golden hand. Orelia attempted to compress her right there and then, but Talon let out a burst of energy around her, the purple magic blast the Shadow Priests against the walls of the tower whilst the hand lost grip of her. Whilst flying in the air, Talon unleashed a powerful uppercut to Orelia and followed up by charging into her whilst flying to smash her through a brick wall. The two traded strikes in their struggle as they flew away from the Highlands, the other Shadow Priests chasing after them. Surrounding herself with a golden mould of her own body before pushing away from Talon to put more gold onto the mould which added enough weight to begin pushing Talon down.
Talon threw the gold aside, but was suddenly tackled by Orelia. The two sorceresses crashed into the sea beside the Bay of Maul. Talon clinged to Orelia's head, ripping her mask off before violently driving her thumbs into her eyes as they went deeper underwater. Orelia summoned golden handcuffs and chopped at the chain to yank Talon beneath her. As Talon was beneath Orelia's boots, she began being kicked to the bottom of the sea. Summoning a golden battering ram, Orelia drove Talon into the seabed. Following the thud of Talon's body hitting the surface was an even louder set of thuds from giant tentacles.
Orelia shot a spike from the palm of her hand into one of the tentacles that emerged from the deep dark, drawing the creature's attention. The colossal octopus, with its iridescent tentacles and mesmerising patterns, roamed the depths of the seas and oceans of Outworld. It was the largest of its kind, part of an Outworld species named Kraken. Its size was truly intimidating, with colossal tentacles extending for dozens of metres, creating an imposing spectacle in the dark abyss. Whilst most would be terrified of the giant sea creature, Orelia opted to goad it towards them. As the Kraken approached them, she summoned a golden shackle around Talon's leg as well as creating a large anchor attached to it. Needing air, Orelia flew up to shore, leaving Talon to drown and become the supper of a Kraken.
Talon attempted to make a portal and as she began falling through it, the Kraken wrapped a pair of tentacles around her anchor. Yanking her out the portal, Talon was flung into a tentacle whip that knocked her entire body into a gathering of colourful coral. Another set of tentacles began dropping down on Talon, attempting to crush her as she swam between each one whilst they landed. Two then came at one from either side, savagely sandwiching her between them with one even wrapping around her body. Desperate for air, Talon focused on surrounding her head with a ball of magic in order to make an air bubble. Meanwhile, the Kraken was carrying her towards their mouth. Clearing the purple magic from her face, Talon was shocked to see she was about to be eaten by the Kraken. The tentacle hurled her into the monster's mouth, but Talon hugged around the Kraken's slippery tongue to avoid being swallowed.
As Talon tried her best to keep her grip, she thought about an old spell that the Shadow Priests had been testing long ago. One of the uses of dark magic involved possession of minds. The only success found with mind control and brainwashing spells was during resurrection processes, however, simpler minds like sea creatures could be controlled without the prerequisite of revival. She shifted her focus to recalling the magic cast that she had only used a handful of times when these tests were initially carried out, but she remembered the spell. Spewing a puff of dark magic from her hands, the smoke traversed outside the Kraken's mouth and surrounded their head, possessing their mind. This spell temporarily created a telepathic link where Talon's thoughts would be executed by the Kraken.
Using this power, Talon made the Kraken spit her out. Although she was uncomfortable with having control over any sort of living being, Talon knew the Kraken had further uses. Swimming alongside her at a surprisingly fast pace, Talon soon made it to the shore at the Bay of Maul. Orelia was sitting in the sand, a pyromancer Shadow Priest beside her trying to warm her up. Orelia audibly growled as she formed a new mask of identical design around her face. She rushed over and kicked Talon in the face to knock her down before pressing her elbow on the back of her head and driving her face into the sand.
"I had a feeling that you'd somehow escape that!" Orelia screamed with rage. "How?!"
Just then, the Kraken's tentacles emerged from under the sea. Orelia hastily summoned a giant golden sword. The tentacles focused only on her. She sliced cleanly through the first tentacle before rolling away from the next two. Orelia then plunged into the water with her giant sword, seeking to slay the Kraken. Meanwhile on the shore, the other Shadow Priests began surrounding Talon.
"Why side against me?" Talon asked weakly as she picked herself up.
"You murdered the high council!" One Shadow Priest yelled, all their faces hidden away in their cloaks like Talon's once was.
"Because they were sexist pigs abusing our powers!" Talon defended herself. "They used our talents for their own selfish needs!"
"Baseless accusations!" Another Shadow Priest chimed in.
"I thought the council was universally hated!" Talon admitted as she looked around frantically as the Shadow Priests slowly began approaching. "Is that really it?!"
"We accept the new sole leadership system that Reiko and you so selfishly established!" Another Shadow Priest yelled. "But we don't accept you as our leader!"
"You couldn't even accept those who stood beside me?!" Talon scoffed. "This meant something to them… meant something to me!"
"We are faceless for a reason, traitor."
"And you're all spineless too!" Talon snapped. "Clearly it's not about loyalty for any Shadow Priests left! You're just like the old council! You'll no doubt dutifully serve whomever… but it's just the person who offers the greatest protection to keep you all comfy! You'll move on the second that changes with Orelia and the Deadly Alliance!"
"Quite the hypocrisy," one Shadow Priest shook their head at Talon. "Did you not support Shao Kahn for the very same reasons?"
"I-" Talon was speechless.
"You wanted what's best for your family," another Shadow Priest concluded. "Unfortunately, you've started to make the wrong calls."
"Don't talk about my family!" Talon yelled as she hurled a shadow ball projectile that blasted the one Shadow Priest into a distant palm tree, a coconut landing on their head to leave them unconscious. "I'm leaving the Shadow Priests and taking you all down with me!"
One Shadow Priest charged at Talon, summoning a scythe in the process. Talon sidestepped the incoming attack, tripping them over. This was merely a distraction, however, giving the other surrounding Shadow Priests a chance to charge up a magic attack of their choosing. A wave of water pushed Talon into a beam of fire that seared her back, burning through her coat. Black and purple lighting was shot at her sides from a pair of Shadow Priests, whilst another summoned an energy construct of a hand to lift the golden anchor still firmly chained to her ankle. Holding it in the air, Talon dangled upside down whilst a flurry of elemental attacks rained down upon her.
Controlling the Kraken still, Talon made it bring a tentacle over to her. The Kraken whipped the Shadow Priests aside and caught Talon, dragging her underwater. Orelia soon spotted her as she was busy fighting the Kraken itself, and charged at her. The Kraken squeezed around the chain between the anchor and Talon's ankle and managed to break it. Talon then punched Orelia with such force that it launched her out the water. A tentacle caught Orelia out of the air and slammed her deep into the sand repeatedly as Talon once again emerged from the water. She went to continue her assault on Orelia, but a Shadow Priest created an energy shield dome to deflect Talon as she flew into it
Talon kipped up and surrounded her arm with sharp magic energy before dashing at the Shadow Priest with such speed that they couldn't react, their body sliced in half in the aftermath. Covered in the blood of the Shadow Priest she dashed through, Talon felt the blood being boiled, giving her greater burns courtesy of the pyromancer Shadow Priest. As this was happening, the scythe wielding Shadow Priest regained their weapon and charged at Talon once more. Talon dropped through a portal, causing the scythe to slice forth, stabbing the pyromancer Shadow Priest. Talon then emerged from a portal on top of the scythe wielder, dropkicking them in the spine to disarm them. Balls of water were hurled at her but she rolled away from each one, each roll brought her closer to the other Shadow Priest who was getting back up. Talon wrapped her arm around their neck from behind and began strangling them. The hydromancer Shadow Priest charged up a high pressure water beam. It pierced the flesh and bone of their ally who was used as a human shield by Talon, giving her time to evade the attack. Talon grabbed the fallen scythe and threw it at the hydromancer, using dark magic to control its trajectory so that it would spin through the remaining Shadow Priest, beheading them.
"I'm so sorry," Talon apologised as she tried to avert her gaze from the corpses and her blood stained hands.
"Damn you!" Orelia yelled as she struggled to her feet. "You have the gall to whine about what we did to your allies, and then you do this to mine?!"
"You started this," Talon reminded her. "I'm ending it."
"I will rip out your throat!" Orelia threatened as she stumbled towards her. "When I'm through with you, I absolutely will pay your wife a visit."
"You're too petty to have left her be regardless of what happened here," Talon replied. "But thanks."
"I'm going to SLAUGHTER your wife!" Orelia screamed angrily. "You'll die and then the very last person you have in your sad, pathetic and lonely life will be gone! It'll be all your fault and yet you dare to THANK me?!"
"You've just refuelled my rage," Talon told her. "I'm really pissed off now, Goldie, let's end this."
"Let's," Orelia summoned a pair of golden daggers and began swinging wildly at Talon.
Talon weaved between the golden blades as she manoeuvred towards the scythe. Ducking one swing, Talon picked up the large weapon and swung it at Orelia who dashed back. Talon was unused to using weapons, especially one this heavy, but knew she'd need one to fend against Orelia's melee weapons. Merging the daggers together, Orelia one more had a giant broadsword. She charged forth and delivered a fast overhead string but Talon parried it with the scythe, swinging sideways at Orelia. She used the golden sword to protect herself and whilst it successfully redirected the scythe, it had bent the metal. As powerful as it was to create gold at her command, Orelia was well aware that gold was far from the most suitable metal for weaponry. With an overhead swing of her own, Talon brought the scythe down on Orelia.
"No!" Orelia yelled as she resiliently held her hands up.
The Outworld Steel blade of the scythe wasted no time in cutting through the leather of Orelia's pitch black gloves and made its way into her hands. Despite the agonising pain, Orelia knew it was the only thing she could do to prevent the blade from piercing her brain. Slowly but surely, the scythe turned to gold from Orelia's touch. Talon didn't hesitate though and began hacking at Orelia's hand, cutting her right hand up into several bits before completely cutting it off from her wrist. Orelia was sobbing from the pain before shrieking at the sight of her dissected hand, cut up into slices across the sand.
"You needed that," Talon justified it as she leant against the scythe. "After all you did…"
"You're no better!" Orelia cried out as she suddenly began growing a new hand made of gold. "Your entire ideology is built off of hypocrisy and delusion!"
"We're seriously still fighting?!" Talon sighed as she raised the scythe again.
"Don't touch me!" Orelia screamed as her new hand extended into a giant poll that struck Talon in the gut, winding her and causing her to drop the scythe.
"I could've made your death so much swifter," Talon told her as she staggered back.
"Another delusion," Orelia shook her head as the golden hand grew to help her climb to her feet. "At least I'm honest about my goals."
"I don't even know what your goals are! Talon admitted. "Just ruin peoples lives? Is that it?!"
"I'm not shy of wanting power," Orelia outright confessed as she looked at her new hand. "I must thank you."
"And you said I was being weird thanking you," Talon remarked. "Who's the hypocrite now?"
"So mouldable…" Orelia analysed as she let the hand shift between various shapes and sizes. "And replenishable… unlike the human body."
"Your powers are great," Talon said with a sarcastic tone and eye roll. "Can we get back to killing each other?"
"This body has been obstructing my power!" Orelia discovered as she reverted the golden hand back to a regular sized hand with a sword glued to her grasp. "It should be replaced!"
It wasn't clean, but the sword managed to chop its way through the rest of Orelia's right arm, all the way up to the shoulder. She screamed in pain but soon her arm was replaced by gold, a material she could control as well as her true body. Talon gagged, shocked by what she just saw.
"It's a mercy killing after all," Talon concluded.
"And it's a massacre for you!" Orelia warned as her new golden arm became a giant crossbow loaded with shards of gold. "My infinite possibilities somehow just got bigger!"
"Was it worth it?!" Talon questioned.
"Strike my arm," Orelia dared. "Challenge the strength of gold all you like, but I won't feel pain there anymore… and I can constantly regenerate gold."
"You could've just used your powers to make an endless supply of Koins and moved to a private island," Talon realised which made her life choices even more baffling to her. "But nope, this is what you think reaching your true potential looks like?"
"What do you think?" Orelia asked rhetorically as she fired from her makeshift crossbow.
With how quickly she could create and fire the chunks of gold, it was too difficult for Talon to keep dodging for long. One shard sliced her cheek open and she spun around to be met by a massive boulder for Orelia's hand. She detached the boulder from her arm and it rolled down the beach, rolling down into the water and striking the Kraken. Talon's focus had been completely shifted to Orelia and she had lost control of the sea monster, she feared what would happen next.
The Kraken wasn't focused on Talon, however, and instead began trying to attack Orelia with their tentacles once more. Orelia ran but Talon dashed in her way, pushing her under a tentacle that landed on her. She encased her body with gold as a shield, but still felt a great impact. The Kraken wasn't finished there though, and began wrapping several tentacles around each limb as well as pulling at each one in opposite directions, like a rack torture device, stretching her arms and legs. The golden arm detached itself pretty quickly, but soon came the other arm… and her legs.
Talon tried ignoring the screams as she winced at the sight, but she needed to be sure Orelia died for what she had done and what she might still do if kept alive. The Kraken refused to drop her though, and instead the sea monster swallowed Orelia and her limbs for a light snack. Talon stood before the Kraken, who no longer was aggressive. The Kraken turned their attention to Talon and she initially thought that the creature would attack, however, the octopus rose their body part way out the water to see Talon and let out a joyful whistling noise to the sorceress.
"Thank you," Talon said gratefully as she stroked their nearest tail. "I know you don't understand, but I get to see my wife again now."
Making a portal behind her, Talon quickly stepped through to return home to check on Epos' progress in packing ready to depart from Outworld. Shortly after Talon's departure, a pair of golden blades pierced the blubbery flesh of the Kraken. Slicing a hole through the side of the sea creature's mouth, Orelia stumbled out and to the shore. Using her powers, Orelia had created golden swords for arms and golden legs that she needed more time to become accustomed to. Despite having admitted to the effectiveness of golden limbs, she felt the pain of her wounds where her arms and legs had been severed. Blood coated the gold and dripped from between where the gold and flesh meshed together. Orelia crawled through the sand and weakly summoned a portal.
"Help…" Orelia cried out. "Help!"
She didn't even have the strength to make it to her own portal. It led back to the Highlands, and one of the Shadow Priests loyal to the new regime change soon emerged and gasped at the sight of Orelia.
"Talon did this!" Orelia sobbed. "Take me in, so I can send the others to destroy her home!"
The Shadow Priest knelt beside Orelia and picked her up, carrying her through the portal and taking Orelia to the tower to undergo healing spells to treat her wounds.
"Darling!" Talon cried out as she burst through the front door to their homely cottage.
"Talon!" Epos rushed over to hug her only to be gently pushed away. "Are you okay?"
"I dealt with Orelia," Talon smiled. "But… my back."
"Show me," Epos insisted. "Your front has enough cuts as is."
"Fine…" Talon sighed as she turned around.
A massive gap was left through Talon's coat and shirt that revealed the fresh burns that marked Talon's back, the skin red, blistered, and raw. The searing pain was evident in the immediate aftermath of the traumatic incident, with the injured area displaying signs of recent injury and inflammation. It was clearly too severe to heal without at least some major scarring, evidence of the ordeal forever etched to her flesh. Epos gasped, almost breaking down into tears at the sight. She carefully removed Talon's soaking jacket and carelessly discarded it on the floor of the home they were to abandon soon.
"You poor thing," Epos said as she removed the rags of her shirt. "I'll get you changed."
"Don't," Talon requested. "I don't want anything making contact with it."
"Fair enough," Epos replied. "You've got so many cuts and marks too… What did she do to you?!"
"Orelia got it worse," Talon assured her.
"She better be dead!"
"She is," Talon confirmed. "Fed her to a Kraken."
"You were fighting in the sea?!" Epos gasped once more. "That explains why you're soaking!"
"Talon! Epos!" A deep voice shouted from outside the house whilst loud banging suddenly came at the front door. "You are under arrest!"
"We need to go," Talon stated. "There's no time to try treating my injuries."
"Everything's packed," Epos told her. "Wherever we're going, it better have good healthcare!"
"It might," Talon shrugged as she began making the portal. "Can you get the bags, darling?"
"Of course!" Epos replied as she rushed upstairs to retrieve the bags.
"No answer," the voice at the door spoke to someone else. "Let's just burn it down now so we can get to bed!"
"Hurry, Epos!" Talon pleaded as she staggered to the door to lock it.
As Epos brought their belongings down, Talon took a final look around their living room. She had many fond memories of the humble abode, Epos having even more so as she had lived here alone for most of her childhood. But it was time to say farewell, regardless of whether they wanted to or not. One thing caught her eyes hung up along the striped wallpaper.
"Our wedding picture!" Talon pointed as Epos was busy frantically shoving backpacks and suitcases through the portal.
Talon staggered over to retrieve the photo framed above their couch, but she collapsed from the pain her body was in. Her adrenaline had completely run out and now she was left with the pain her battle with Orelia and her followers had left her in.
"Talon!" Epos rushed over to Talon and tried helping her up.
Suddenly, a fireball was hurled through their front window and lit fire to the carpet in the middle of the living room. Using her strength, Epos lifted Talon into a fireman's carry and threw her through the portal, over the line of fire made between the two. She spun around and pulled the frame off the wall with the picture intact before raising it above her head as she ran through the flames, making it through the portal with determination.
The couple found themselves in a forest. Talon was lying on a bed of bright red leaves, surrounded by their luggage. Epos dumped the picture frame into the pile before rushing to the nearest tree. Inconsiderate of the tree's own flammability, Epos began violently kicking the tree to squash the flames at her ankles. It was a success, however, the flames now spread to the tree she attacked.
"Epos?!" Talon cried out with fear in her voice.
"It's me!" Epos cried out. "I'm here!"
"My vision…" Talon rubbed her eyes. "I can't see!"
"You're fainting," Epos explained as she held her hand. "I brought everything over. Please shut the portal."
Talon nodded before complying to her request, preventing the Shadow Priests attacking their Outworld home from pursuing them further. Epos helped her stand up, Talon leaning on her for support. Epos tried ignoring her own burn wounds at her feet and ankles to support her beloved. As she looked up, she shrieked at several masked people in uniform pointing firearms at them.
"What's going on?!" A voice yelled.
"Two trespassers, Mavado," one of the soldiers explained.
"Let me guess," Mavado predicted as he pushed through the crowd. "A couple of Asuka's intoxicated flings?"
"What?" Talon replied weakly.
"Who?" Epos asked. "I can't explain, but my wife can!"
"Huh?" Talon was losing consciousness.
"Talon!" Epos yelled as she nudged her with an elbow. "Please!"
"Red Dragon?" Talon asked.
"That is us," Mavado confirmed as she readied his crescent guard swords. "How have you found us?"
"Dracona!" Talon yelled. "She gave me a card!"
"Dracona?!" Epos scoffed.
"Get Dracona," Mavado ordered one Red Dragon grunt. "And Rain, before they burn the Krimson Forest down!"
"I'm sorry, Epos," Talon apologised.
"Your ex Dracona?!" Epos sought clarification.
"Who else has that name?" Talon asked.
"I should've just stayed in that fire!" Epos complained.
"Rough day?" Mavado asked as he sheathed his weapons.
"The worst," Epos sighed.
"I'm not the fire brigade, Mavado," Rain complained as Mavado simply pointed to the tree he needed to put out.
"Hello!" Dracona greeted Talon and Epos. "Geez… you're looking as charred as our mountain."
"You'd know," Epos gritted her teeth. "You used to burn her too."
"Epos!" Dracona gasped. "It's uh… good to see you?"
Epos just stared daggers at her in response.
"It's done," Rain announced after soaking the tree.
"Give the sleepy one something to drink too," Mavado gestured to Talon.
"Careful!" Epos complained as Rain dumped a small cold waterfall from his hand over Talon's head.
"Thanks…" Talon said gratefully as she began to regain her vision.
"Let's bring them inside," Rain insisted. "Take them to the medbay."
"We aren't a charity!" Mavado yelled.
"Trust me, sir," Dracona spoke up, "these two will prove most useful."
"We normally don't pay upfront," Mavado shook his head as he put his hands on his hips whilst he considered it.
"Please," Talon begged. "We'll do anything to make it right after!"
"Fine," Mavado sighed as he reluctantly agreed. "Carry the topless one, Dracona."
"Gladly," Dracona agreed as she shoved Epos aside and cradled Talon in her arms.
Epos went to attack her but realised that'd be a death sentence and restrained herself before she escalated anything. She pouted as she quietly followed along as they walked through the Krimson Forest leading to the headquarters of the Red Dragon clan: Charred Mountain.
The Krimson Forest was a majestic expanse of towering crimson-hued trees, their leaves creating a vibrant canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting an enchanting red glow onto the forest floor. Aside from the footsteps of the group as they crunched through the distinctly coloured leaves that had fallen due to the Autumn weather, it was dead silent. No wildlife occupied the secluded private forest. The uniform wearing Red Dragon members carried Epos and Talon's luggage, Epos walking behind them to ensure they were taking good care of their belongings. It was a short walk to the entrance of Charred Mountain, hallowed out with tech infused within the caverns of the mountain.
Epos had to admit the Red Dragon was efficient. She soon found herself sitting down in the medbay as a medic placed her feet in cold water before applying any treatment to her minor burns. She had been told her belongings were being taken to a spare room, but her concerns were on Talon. She was opposite her, being assisted onto a bed where she lay front first. Dracona stood over Talon whilst Rain was beside her, ready to provide water to help treat the burns. Dracona carefully put her hands on Talon's bra strap and removed it.
"Hey!" Epos went to stand up but her own medic sat her back down.
"Is that really necessary?" Rain asked.
"It's entirely professional!" Dracona explained. "It'll cover part of the burns and just generally be uncomfortable."
"Can literally anyone else but this freak treat her?!" Epos asked.
"As an Outworlder, my age and experience in medical care puts me centuries ahead of anybody else here," Dracona defended herself.
"Your history is exactly why it bothers me!" Epos yelled.
"Calm down, Epos," Talon requested as her face was buried into a towel. "She does actually know what she's doing."
"If you're comfortable with it then I guess so…" Epos said with reluctance.
"Rain's going to put some cool water over your back for about twenty minutes," Dracona explained the process. "We'll use the towels to keep you warm during it and patch up some of these cuts. Then we have some medicine for the burn…"
A little over half an hour later, the treatment had been done. Time would be needed to heal their wounds, Talon's especially, as well as many more checkups. After changing to a clean set of clothes, Mavado and Asuka Asano led the pair to what they thought was their new room, but instead they entered the Grandmaster's private chamber.
"Grandmaster Daegon?" Asuka called for.
"These best not be more of your outsiders, Asuka," Daegon said as he stood from his desk, Caro the Dragon snoring lightly in the background.
"They're not mine!" Asuka assured her.
"They have a history with Dracona, Grandmaster," Mavado clarified. "Although I also thought the same as you."
"I'm not just some slut!" Asuka yelled which made Daegon facepalm.
"You were literally asking our guests if they're single on the way in!" Mavado reminded her.
"I was just making small talk!" Asuka defended herself.
"Please hit her again, Grandmaster," Mavado pleaded. "Or give me permission to."
"That won't be necessary," Daegon assured. "I'm actually pleased with your one outside connection, Asuka."
"Amelia?" Asuka asked.
"She's reported that Red Dragons have been found in the Netherrealm," Daegon revealed.
"Deceased ones?" Mavado asked with Daegon nodding. "Oh my…"
"Shall I check in with her?" Asuka asked.
"You know too well," Daegon confirmed before pressing a button on his desk to shock Caro awake. "A portal to Nekros, beast, hurry up!"
Epos noticed Talon tensing up at the abuse, Caro too used to it to even respond with anything besides making a portal before curling up into a ball again. Asuka waved goodbye before departing on her new mission.
"Now then," Daegon turned to Epos and Talon. "Introduce yourselves."
"I'm Epos," she greeted. "I was a soldier for the Kahn Guard, and managed to receive a promotion to Colonel near the end."
"And I'm Talon," she bowed as she was used to doing some in the presence of masters. "I was the Shadow Priest's best sorcerer."
"More Outworlders," Daegon was impressed. "Dracona was our first and she was impressed with her knowledge."
"And these two seem to have even greater resumes," Mavado pointed out.
"Lives longer than Earthrealmers tend to prove more valuable," Daegon admitted. "No offence, Mavado."
"None taken, Grandmaster," Mavado replied. "I agree completely."
"Can we stay then?" Epos asked.
"Are you ready for work?" Daegon asked.
"My feet are killing," Epos admitted. "But that's fine, I'm used to that."
"And you?" Daegon's white eyes fixated on Talon.
"I'm sorry," Talon apologised. "I… I need some time."
"How long?" Daegon asked.
"Doctor Dracona said a few weeks before I heal," Talon told him. "But I'll do some menial tasks at the base in the meantime!"
"You can rest," Daegon permitted. "I trust this long term investment will pay off."
"Certainly!" Talon promised. "I won't disappoint, Grandmaster!"
"We appreciate the opportunity," Epos replied.
"This concludes our brief interview," Daegon decided. "Hsu Hao is waiting to escort you to your room."
"He's in the corridor," Mavado elaborated. "Cybernetic heart, you can't miss him."
"Thank you," Epos replied.
"Let's go, darling," Talon said as they opened the doors to leave… only to turn around at the sound of a portal.
"Greetings," Quan Chi said as he emerged from his portal with Shang Tsung following.
"How did you get here?!" Daegon questioned as he pressed another button at his desk, opening a hidden compartment made to store the Drakeswords.
"We're here to do business!" Quan Chi clarified.
"He betrayed Shinnok," Mavado reported to Daegon.
"Unsurprising," Daegon said as he grabbed his weapons. "What do you want, sorcerers?!"
"There's no need for the swords!" Quan Chi insisted. "We're far more skilled swordsmen anyway, no doubt."
"You're no Deadly Alliance," Shang Tsung smirked.
"I can rip the pair of you apart with or without my clan," Daegon warned. "I'll give you one chance to convince me not to!"
"Firstly, we offer an explanation," Tsung said as he gestured to Talon. "This traitor left behind valuable information exposing your whereabouts."
"What?" Talon shook her head.
"Unbelievable…" Mavado sighed with disappointment.
"That card Dracona gave you," Epos reminded her.
"You left it behind in the pocket of a coat," Tsung explained as he showed the card in his hand. "I wouldn't work with traitors personally."
"Then get out of my office," Daegon demanded. "I'm sure those two had ample reason to turn against the pair of you."
"Clearly you don't trust us," Quan Chi noted.
"I wonder why," Mavado chimed in with sarcasm.
"At least hear our offer," Tsung requested. "You'll want it."
"Leave us, Epos and Talon," Daegon ordered.
"Please don't listen to them," Talon begged.
"Whatever they offer isn't worth it!" Epos agreed.
"A discussion for later," Mavado said as he ushered them out of the room. "You both need to rest."
"But-" Talon tried to argue but Mavado put a finger over her lips.
"Are these the new recruits?" Hsu Hao asked as he walked down the corridor.
"Yes, my friend," Mavado confirmed. "Show them their quarters."
"Come with me," Hsu Hao instructed with the Outworld couple having no choice but to comply.
"The offer then?" Daegon asked as Mavado closed the steel doors. "What is it?"
"The Black Dragon clan," Quan Chi offered.
"And a guarantee of survival when we conquer Earthrealm," Shang Tsung added.
"You're telling that to a threat greater than the pair of you," Daegon reminded them. "The first part intrigues me, however, do you have their whereabouts too?"
"My Earthrealm spies have information that I think has managed to eclipse even you," Tsung grinned whilst Daegon continued to glare at the Deadly Alliance stoically. "The news has neglected to reveal that Kano was broken free from the Special Forces Maximum Security Facility."
"How?!" Mavado questioned. "What crony of his managed to succeed in that?!"
"Help us and we'll get to the bottom of it," Tsung offered.
"We've been tracking the Black Dragon on our own for centuries just fine," Daegon told them.
"Would it hurt to have powerful allies though?" Quan Chi asked. "We know that the Special Forces have recently uncovered your existence."
"Your secret life may be in great danger," Tsung suggested. "Especially if I spread this card around."
"Do so and I will burn your cold heart!" Daegon threatened.
"I will happily burn this information if we have a deal," Tsung offered.
"We may not get along," Quan Chi confessed. "But if you're truly greater than us, then what reason do you have to fear a little alliance?"
"You make a valid point," Daegon considered. "If I accept, I have the permission to decline any potential orders."
"Of course," Tsung permitted. "Whatever you desire."
"We will be mutual benefactors," Daegon told them with the two sorcerers frantically nodding in agreement. "Attempt to double cross me and we'll know."
"We would never!" Quan shouted as he extended a hand. "Do we have a deal?"
"I don't do handshakes with the likes of you," Daegon slapped his hand away. "But if you want my answer? Yes. We have a deal."
"Excellent!" Tsung cheered as Quan Chi chuckled. "We shall return at a later date with orders… that are yours to either agree or disagree to."
"Perfect," Daegon accepted. "You may now leave."
"And don't send anyone here without permission beforehand," Mavado added.
"Certainly," Tsung agreed as Quan Chi already headed through his portal. "We'll be in touch…"
Elsewhere in Charred Mountain, Hsu Hao had reached the room designated for Epos and Talon.
"Here is your room," Hsu Hao presented as he opened the door. "It should be spacious enough for the two of you."
The room was nothing special, two sides of the walls were of the cavern itself whilst the front wall connected to the corridor and the opposite side was a thin wall built to separate the room from next door. In one corner was an empty wardrobe with a substantial amount of hangers, and two beds were in a back corner each, with matching nightstands. A pair of chairs were neatly tucked under a table between the beds. The remaining corner was spacious for storage purposes. The room was of a suitable size to house a couple, but the room was lifeless with generic essential furniture that was sturdy, made from a tree cut down in the Krimson Forest.
"This'll do," Talon reviewed.
"I guess…" Epos replied with a less optimistic attitude.
"The furniture can be renovated at a later date," Hsu Hao informed them. "For example, I assume you'd want a shared bed rather than two separate ones."
"Yes," Epos confirmed as she took a deep breath. "I did bring a few things to make it more homely."
"I see our wedding photo was hung up," Talon pointed to it as it hung on the cavern wall above the table.
"I put that up before heading to meet you," Hsu Hao told them. "I can reposition it if you desire."
"There is fine," Talon told him.
"Here is a map of the headquarters," Hsu Hao handed one to each of the couple. "Dinner is being served at the cantine right now."
"Thank you for the help, Hsu," Talon said gratefully as they received the maps.
"While I cannot relate, I do understand that your situation is a difficult one," Hsu Hao sympathised. "Your determination to join us is admired."
"I have to admit," Epos spoke up. "We don't even know what this is."
"Is this a military?" Talon guessed.
"It's similar in a way," Hsu Hao considered. "But no, we are a crime syndicate."
"Just great…" Epos sighed.
"We have pure goals, however," Hsu Hao claimed. "I will spare you from hearing about that for now though."
"We'll take your word for it," Talon replied. "Thanks again."
"I shall leave you two be," Hsu Hao said as he headed to the door. "Have a good evening."
"You too," Talon said as Hsu closed the door. "How are you feeling, darling?"
"Like I'm losing my mind," Epos admitted as she threw herself onto her bed. "You have a lot of explaining to do."
"Dracona made the offer during the battle in Sabar City," Talon recalled. "She said I'd need it when Reiko's rebellion failed… I guess she was right."
"We would've just been better off on the streets."
"You can't seriously think that."
"You listened to Dracona?!" Epos raised her voice. "After what she did to you?!"
"Maybe she's changed," Talon considered. "It's been hundreds of years, darling."
"You can't downplay it!" Epos shouted. "She…"
"I don't want to remember," Talon said as she leant against the table.
"Did you forget?" Epos asked. "The manipulation, the insults, the beatings-"
"Of course I remember!" Talon screamed. "I'm glad you helped me get away and move on from that… that-"
"Abuser," Epos called Dracona.
"Yes…" Talon sighed. "But we have nobody else to turn to that hasn't joined the Deadly Alliance or is a fugitive themselves!"
"They've joined the Deadly Alliance."
"You don't know that!"
"They can be convincing."
"They would've denied them!" Talon argued. "You're being pessimistic."
"Pessimistic?!" Epos scoffed as she sat up aggressively. "You're all I have left in my damn life and I spent the past day searching for you, then I have to leave you to nearly die to a psycho sorceress, then our home gets burned down, now we're slaves to some criminals, and worst of all is Dracona's there!"
"You barely knew her anyway," Talon pointed out. "She seems to genuinely want to help, despite how mean spirited she can be."
"You said that when you were with her," Epos reminded her. "And I do know more than what you told me."
"How?"
"Y'know how she'd stalk you after you broke up with her?" Epos asked.
"Is there a reason why you're trying to remind me of my trauma?!" Talon said as she pushed the table over in frustration. "Yes… I remember."
"I'm sorry," Epos apologised. "But that stopped."
"Very suddenly," Talon recalled. "Probably when she moved to Earthrealm."
"I was the reason she moved."
"That's impossible," Talon shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"I stalked her back," Epos confessed. "I followed her home."
"To do what?"
"I just attacked her. Every night I'd find a way inside her house and I would just beat her. I wanted… needed her to feel what she did to you. I did this for weeks and she couldn't do a thing about it. Report me to the guards that respected me? No chance. So… I kept doing it… and honestly? I liked it. She moved but I just asked the soldiers who kept the addresses in the village, and just found her again. There was nothing she could do. She had no escape. I kept doing it long after she left you alone and it went from feeling like a necessity to protect you into plain revenge. Then she went off the grid entirely, that was likely when she left the realm. I learnt a lot about how she treated you during those visits. If she has changed, then I beat that lesson into her… but I'm still sceptical. And no, I don't regret it."
Talon had no clue what to say and just glared at her wife with a concerned and frightened look on her face.
"I'm sorry," Epos apologised again. "I just figured you should know."
"You did all that for me?" Talon spoke quietly, breathless.
"You saved my life," Epos told her. "I couldn't let her get away with how broken she left you."
"Thank you…" Talon said with genuine gratitude. "Do you think you have an anger issue maybe?"
"Anybody would be as angry as me in that position!" Epos defended herself. "This is about your problems anyway."
"It's not," Talon replied. "I asked how you were doing."
"I'm sorry for getting mad at you," Epos apologised once more. "I know you're just doing your best for us."
"I'm not upset that you are angry," Talon clarified. "I'm just worried that you're hurt."
"You've got more issues than me," Epos replied. "Physically and mentally I mean."
"That doesn't invalidate your problems!" Talon yelled.
Epos sighed as she gazed up at the ceiling.
"I'll ask again," Talon decided as she sat beside her lover. "How are you, and only you?"
"Just frustrated I suppose," Epos opened up. "Ready to just give up."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't believe any of us should, but for helping the Kahn Guard we're going to the Netherrealm," Epos realised as she sat up. "The past few years have felt like its own Hell, and maybe I should just see the real deal."
"You don't mean…" Talon was processing what Epos was saying. "No!"
"I'm not going to do it," Epos reassured her. "It's just something I was thinking about."
"It's probably better for the Earthrealmers," Talon considered. "Where the afterlife is just a theory, a myth for most."
"I don't mind knowing what awaits me," Epos replied. "But when my life is so connected to you… I don't want us to die and suffer in the Netherrealm without even being together."
"You keep your powers," Talon believed. "I can easily escape."
"I can't though," Epos reminded her. "I'd just either get to embrace the anarchy, or become an Oni's dinner… either sounds more peaceful than this life right now."
"Neither of us are going to any afterlife anytime soon," Talon promised her. "We'll get through this!"
"We're both thousands of years old," Epos sighed. "I've spent all those years being a follower and soldier for the Kahn Guard."
"I understand," Talon related. "It's hard losing my status as a Shadow Priest."
"It was practically my identity," Epos told her as she shifted closer to Talon. "Without it… I'm nothing."
"You're something to me," Talon put her arm around Epos. "You're my hero and the best thing to ever happen to me."
"I feel the same way," Epos smiled slightly. "But that's it."
"That's it?" Talon echoed, unsure of what she meant.
"You're all I have," Epos believed. "The only thing stopping me from seeing that afterlife is because I can't leave you."
"Oh my God, darling," Talon wrapped her arms around her beloved. "I'm so sorry you feel this way."
"I'm sorry that I told you," Epos apologised as she began tearing up. "You have enough to worry about."
"I want you to talk to me!" Talon raised her voice. "Don't just bottle this up."
"But-"
"But nothing!" Talon insisted. "I worry about you anyway, at least now I know how you actually feel."
"And I can't see myself feeling better," Epos put her head in her palms to cover her tears. "It just feels like it's downhill from here."
"You just need to give it time," Talon believed. "You're not used to change, and it's understandably challenging to adapt."
"This isn't us!" Epos turned to face Talon. "We don't believe in this cause, we hardly know what it is!"
"We can move on again if necessary."
"I don't want to keep moving," Epos sobbed. "I want to go home."
"This is our new home."
"Our home's dead," Epos stated, "and I wish I was too."
"Please don't say that," Talon begged as Epos stood up. "Where are you going?"
"I'm starving," Epos told her as she examined the map she was given. "I'll get some dinner."
"I'll come with you," Talon decided as she went to stand up but Epos gently sat her back down.
"Please rest," Epos requested. "I'll bring some food to you."
"Will you be alright going there alone?"
"As alright as I can be," Epos replied as she opened the door. "Thanks for talking about our emotions, my love, it's hard but I think it might've helped?"
"I used to have counselling," Talon told her. "Maybe you should get therapy too, with me."
"I doubt this crime syndicate has therapists," Epos looked over her shoulder.
"Somewhere in this realm there must be one," Talon replied. "Regardless, we'll get through this. I promise."
"I'll take your word for it," Epos said as she stepped outside. "It's all I've got."
As Epos shut the door gently, Talon lay on her front in the bed they sat together on. Tearing up, Talon buried her head in the pillow and began to cry…