-Chapter 6: Reaching the Peak-
At the outdoor training grounds in the Wu Shi Academy, Mileena propped herself up against one of the many dragon carvings lining the edge of the kombat circle. Within the stone and sand perimeter, Magnus and Raiden circled one another, in the middle of a heated spar. The thunder god had taken the Norwegian under his wing to teach him the art of Nan Chuan, to give him a better offensive edge in kombat as well as better hone his arcana. It was intriguing to Mileena, to watch a mortal man go toe-to-toe with a god. None of them had ever practiced with Raiden since their arrival.
Magnus struck with a hop heel smash that Raiden deftly blocked, quickly coming around to parry his incoming strikes before he landed a push kick of his own that sent Magnus sliding back. Raiden flew forward, landing a punch to the midsection followed by a double-palm strike before he teleported behind the stumbling Norwegian and threw him down to the ground. The thunder god then landed an axe kick before he launched forward in electric flight, a bundle of sparks bowling over Magnus as Raiden collided with him.
Not to be undone, Magnus pushed himself to his feet and ducked low as Raiden sent a bolt of lightning his way. He rushed back in, striking with two blows to the midsection and then an electric palm strike that caused Raiden to stumble, allowing Magnus to execute two spinning high kicks in quick succession that pitched the thunder god to the floor. Raiden hopped back to his feet, primed and ready to continue. Magnus closed the gap, launching an uppercut followed by a jab and then a high kick, knocking Raiden back to allow him to lunge forward and continue his strikes.
The thunder god quickly avoided him by teleporting behind Magnus, executing a short-hop kick to the back of his legs before he snapped out his arm and struck him in the back with a fist. Channeling his power down, an electric burst knocked Magnus forward onto his face.
The Norwegian clambered back to his feet as Raiden surged ahead with his jo staff armed, Magnus countering with a high kick before spinning around and landing a double palm strike to the chest that pitched Raiden back across the floor. Magnus sprinted ahead to cross the gap and struck with a lunging low kick to upset the rising thunder god and then lashed out with an electric chop to the shoulder that caused him to stumble again.
The thunder god pushed himself to his feet as Magnus attempted to execute a pair of hammer fists, only for Raiden to conjure a bolt of lightning that drew him into his waiting hand, a second burst of electrical energy flinging Magnus back. Rolling back to his feet and shaking off the lingering buzz clouding his mind, the Norwegian lunged forward with a push kick and then executed a low sweep causing Raiden to stumble. He then landed a rising palm strike followed by a crescent kick to put Raiden down on the ground.
Rising to his feet, the thunder god quickly summoned his staff and turned it into a lightning rod as he generate a blast of electrical energy that bowled Magnus over. As he made to rise, Raiden executed a chop kick before summoning his staff and checking Magnus across the chest before spinning around and clubbing him with enough force to put him on the ground.
The Norwegian rolled back to his feet, crossing his arms in front of him as Raiden landed a straight jab followed by an electrified uppercut. Rebuffing both strikes, Magnus struck back with an overhead blow that lead to an elbow to the face. With the same hand, he grabbed Raiden's arm and spun around, hand behind his back while his free hand grabbed the thunder god by the head and threw him to the ground. From there he pounced, pinning Raiden beneath him as Magnus triumphed.
He paused, silenced ensued. Then Raiden gave him a soft nod.
"Well met, Magnus Shadrix." His praise signalled the end of the match and Magnus nodded in understanding, rising to his feet before offering the thunder god a hand up. "In the weeks you have been practicing, your mastery of Nan Chuan has excelled as well as your command over your arcana. You should be proud of your efforts."
"All thanks to your teaching, Dynja." Magnus responded, bowing respectfully. Raiden returned the bow.
"Your excellence as a warrior is an achievement not to be understated." The thunder god continued. Turning towards the empty floor, he conjured his magicks and generated twin bolts of lightning that struck the ground. Within their meeting point, a rectangular box began to materialize amid the light. "Know that this is not a reward for your hard effort, but a gift that took time to craft and prepare." Raiden stated, folding his arms together. Taking that as his go-ahead, Magnus knelt before the box and opened it…
What lay within took his breath away.
Inside lay a pair of bearded axes, made smaller to better dual-wield, and a long single-edged seax knife. Both of which had been crafted much like the kind wielded by the Ynglings and Magnus couldn't help but trace his fingers down the length of the handles. The axes had runes engraved into them, spelling out 'Njordborn' and 'Champion'… the first time Magnus had held a connection to his people in years. "They're just like the kind my people make…" He whispered, lifting the seax knife into his hand. It was sharp, perfectly made. "How did you-?"
"Fujin learned the artificing techniques centuries ago from a blacksmith of your people. He shared the techniques with the Shaolin smiths." Raiden explained. "They have been forged explicitly for your use, Magnus Shadrix." The Yngling looked back down at his new weapons again.
"I… I cannot thank you enough for this." He said quietly.
"You have proven yourself a worthy champion. And I want all of Earthrealm's champions to fight at their finest." Raiden said. With that, he took his leave and allowed Magnus to embrace his new arsenal.
Giving him a few moments to appreciate his gifts, Mileena hopped down into the arena floor and strode over to him. When he did not react, she knelt silently beside him. "I felt the same way." She said softly. The Yngling lifted both axes into his hands, feeling their weight and the texture of their handles. Wood and leather rubbed against flesh, eliciting memories of a younger time.
"I have not seen anything like this in years. All I have are memories." Magnus confessed, slowly rising as he gripped his new axes tightly. Mileena rose with him, studying his eyes to see the raw emotion behind the blue. This was important to him, likely as important as it had been to her to receive her new sai. "We should spar. Perhaps this evening. Yours against mine." She suggested, earning his gaze. "It would be good to ensure they are battle-ready." Magnus nodded slowly.
"Yes. I would like that." He agreed.
"…You mean to tell me that not just Outworlders are gonna be at this thing?" Johnny Cage stated incredulously. With him, Sonya was equally flabbergasted by the news. Liu Kang nodded.
"It is the unfortunate truth. Shao Kahn has as many allies as he has servants and slaves. Some come to fight for glory, others for the explicit purpose of helping Outworld win the Tournament." He explained to them.
"Sonnuva bitch. The odds really are stacked against us." Sonya muttered.
"There is no adversary that cannot be overcome. No adversity that cannot be endured." Liu sagely responded. "The more you learn about your enemy, the less they'll be able to surprise you, Lieutenant Blade." Cracking the seal on a large, bound book, Liu flipped ahead several pages before laying it down before them. Displayed on the pages was a humanoid female, who looked every bit a human except for the large bat-like wings shrouding their figure. "Vaeternians are a bat-like haemovorous race from Vaeternian province in the realm of Ichoria." Johnny leaned closer.
"Wow. Realm full of goth chicks." He remarked. But Sonya picked up on something else in Liu's description.
"Hang on, 'haemovorous'? They drink blood?" She clarified. Johnny bolted upright.
"Woah woah! Hold the phone! They're vampires?!"
"Indeed." Said Liu, quite calm by comparison. "They have allied with Shao Kahn in the hopes of collecting victims from the realms he's conquered to feed upon. For Ichoria is a realm of powerful blood magic, hemomancers, and an eternal Blood Moon. Not many ways to grow a sustainable food stock to feed its inhabitants."
"I swear I just got chills." Sonya muttered, rubbing her arms.
"What's the game plan for fighting one of these things? Garlic? Wooden stake?" Johnny wondered. Liu chuckled.
"Unlike the vampire legends of Earthrealm, Vaeternians do not have such specific weaknesses."
"Great. Open season on vampire chicks." Johnny mused, leaning back with hands behind his head. Then Liu tossed another open book down on the table and the sight immediately destroyed his composure. "What the hell is that…?"
The figure in question was a bipedal creature that seemed almost human, were it not for the colorful chitinous shell of a body that gave it an unnatural shape. "The Kytinn come from the Island of Arnyek in the realm of Interria. They are a sentient insectoid race who create vast underground hives capable of housing countless thousands of larva. A small few have allied with Shao Kahn in the name of expanding the reach of the hive and can be quite deadly in kombat." Liu Kang explained.
"Great. My turn for the heebie-jeebies." Johnny said with a shiver.
"How deadly are we talking here?" Sonya questioned.
"Not only do they secrete their own venoms and can sprout a variety of stingers and ovipositors, but brood mothers can spawn any number of swarms that will do their bidding for them." The Shaolin described. Actor and soldier shared matching grimacing looks.
"Bad day to have insectophobia facing down one of those things." Johnny commented.
"No kidding." Sonya agreed.
Several hours later, Sonya and Kung Lao were squaring off in the courtyard with Liu Kang overseeing the spar. "I caution your desire to implement your technology into kombat, Lieutenant. In the tournament, you can only trust your body and mind to be of good use. There are many variables that will hinder your tools." Liu told the blonde.
"We'll see about that." Sonya retorted. "If I manage to beat Kung Lao, I get the bragging rights." The other monk tossed his fellow a grin.
"Permission to go all out then?" He asked.
Liu nodded. "Granted. Just be sure no grievous injuries are inflicted." Lao needed no further prompting and promptly tossed out his hat to land on the ground by Sonya's feet. The lieutenant was thoroughly confused when Kung Lao disappeared into the ground, his arcana allowing him to teleport directly to his hat. He shot up in front of her, landing a kick that spun her around and allowed him to vault over her. On the other side, Kung Lao drilled Sonya with a windmill punch before she could get her guard up, the blonde promptly laid out on the ground.
The monk paused, priming himself while giving his opponent a chance to rise. Rolling her shoulders with a huff, Sonya reached for her twin gloves in preparation, anticipating his next move. Following her hunch, Kung Lao struck with a tornado kick, only to have his ankle snared by Sonya's garrotting wire. She threw him back, landing him on the ground where she pounced and delivered a blow to his gut further amplified by an energy discharge. She cartwheeled back into position, taking her time as Kung Lao pulled himself back together. "Not bad, Lieutenant. But I'm just getting warmed up."
Tossing out his hat, Sonya ducked and turned as Kung Lao teleported behind her, using his hat to block an incoming energy ring as he spun around and threw out his hat again, the razor rim grazing her shoulder. He moved in to strike, landing two blows to the gut and then a high-kick that knocked Sonya into his waiting hat, blade cutting into her flesh before she fell back to the training ground. The blonde was back on her feet as Kung Lao went airborne, collecting his hat and executing a dive kick that Sonya expertly comersaulted away from… and that's when she made her move.
Reaching for the rack hanging from her belt, Sonya threw out a flashbang that detonated right at Kung Lao's feet, blinding the monk. Then she tossed out a stun grenade, an electrical field erupting shortly after that froze him in place, which bought the lieutenant enough time to deploy one of her drones.
Charging up her photon projectors, Sonya blasted Kung Lao with an energy ring before keying in a command to her drone. A heat-seeking projectile sought out the monk and detonated in his face, blinding him long enough for Sonya to execute an arc kick that put him flat on his back. From the sidelines, Liu Kang nodded, visibly impressed as he called an end to the match.
"Give up? Or thirsty for more?" Sonya questioned the downed Kung Lao.
"No need, Miss Blade." Lao coughed from the floor. "I yield. You have proven your point." With a smug look, Sonya crossed her arms in satisfaction. "Any Outworlder who crosses you will be sorry." The monk remarked.
It was another day full of training and learning. The champions of Earthrealm studied in the library, practice on both the outdoor training courtyard and indoor sparring arena. They read together, ate together, battled together. Their skills improved, their knowledge of their enemy grew, all while a sense of foreboding loomed over them… the tournament was not far away.
As night fell, Magnus arrived first at the sparring arena, feeling the sandy ground beneath his feet as he shrugged off the upper part of his robes. Around his waist, his bearded axes had been stored within hoops of his belt while his seax knife rested within a custom-made leather sheath that dangled behind him.
Footsteps on stone heralded the arrival of Mileena and Magnus turned to watch the Outworld woman descend onto the sandy arena floor. She walked in a regal manner, a subtle sway in her hips as she strode forward with confidence. "Are you ready?" She asked with a gleam in her eye.
"Yes." Magnus said simply. Together they drew their weapons, sais and axes in hand.
"Should we make this interesting? A wager perhaps?" Mileena queried.
"I thought you wanted to test my skills?" Magnus replied.
"Mmm, true," Mileena hummed. "You remember how to use those?"
"It is harder to forget than one might think."
"That is good to hear."
She didn't give him a chance to get ready, surprising him with a forward rush with one sai. He responded quickly, aiming the head of his axe to flick away the pointed blade. Mileena nodded as she resumed a neutral stance, strutting around him. Magnus kept his axes level, watching and waiting like any attentive warrior.
Mileena struck next with a series of swipes, putting him on the backstep as he batted aside her weapons with quick, controlled swings. Despite the raw power he could put out, Magnus paced himself, taking his time to get a feel for Mileena's attacks. He'd seen her fight, but being on the receiving end was something else.
She moved with practiced grace, her skills the sum total of someone who had 1000 years of experience. Mileena knew exactly what she was doing, aiming high once he was comfortable with her aiming for his midsection, aiming low once he had gotten used to warding off arcing attacks. He thrust hard and Magnus parried, curling his arm to deliver a shoulder shunt with a reliance on his strength and bulk to force Mileena back. But the Outworld woman leaned into the shunt, rolling across his back to a re-stand on the other side of him. Magnus was quick to reposition, not to be taken by surprise, and had his axes crossed to block both of her incoming weapons. Her attack rebuffed, Mileena repositioned as Magnus adjusted his grip. Not his hands were right behind the blade of his axe, allowing him to punch with a lethal edge.
He tested her defences, uppercutting into her sais as sparks erupted from metal-on-metal. Magnus was surprised by the robust nature of her weaponry and how something so spindly could withstand the blow of an axe. 'Perhaps it is a question of who wields it.'
They continued to dance back and forth across the training floor, testing each other's abilities as they took turns on the offence and defence. Their spar allowed them to better appreciate each other's prowess and Mileena learned that, without question, Magnus had not lost his touch or skill when it came to his use of bearded axes and said as much when they were at another standoff.
"If you're rusty, I can't tell."
"And our enemies should learn to fear you." He replied. Mileena smirked, twirling her sais around.
"Do not discount your own skills." She mused, priming to go again.
She was all bladed edges and rapid-fire stabs, exerting as much energy as he was expending in defence. Sweat was clinging to their forms, rolling down swelled biceps and flushed cheeks. Neither showed a hint of slowing down. It was a battle of minds now; who could find the edge to triumph over the other.
After another hard-fought back-and-forth, Magnus found his opportunity.
Mileena aimed high, two swipes followed by matching stabs. Magnus ducked low, performing a leg sweep that put the Outworld woman on her back. He lunged, pouncing on her for the pin with axes buried in the sand on either side of her head. The sudden motion brought the kombat to an abrupt halt, both of them breathing heavily with their faces and bodies inches from each other.
Eyes locked, a recognition of their state near-instantaneous. Magnus leaned back, relaxing his killer instinct, and his eyes roamed across her sweaty upper body. The way her skin shone in the low light, the way it highlighted the curves of her figure and the softness of her flesh. Her brown eyes had a demure look to them as she gazed up from the ground. She seemed almost… submissive beneath him.
Mileena was appreciating her position and the fact she could gaze upon the shirtless Magnus unashamedly. His sweat-slicked muscles were gorgeously toned, framed by intricate tattoos marking his identity. The sight of him flushed her cheeks anew with something other than exertion. The intensity in his bright blue eyes filled her with heat, a raw sense of need that made her heart pound with a desire that had welled over the course of several weeks. Her gaze full and eyes half-lidded, she started to lean up, lips parting ever so slightly…
And then Magnus slowly pushed himself up, knocking Mileena out of her reverie. She closed her mouth, eyes widened as he slowly helped her to her feet. "You fought well." Magnus said softly, slipping his axes back into place before taking a moment to dust off her bare shoulders. "Thank you for the opportunity." It was genuine thanks but all Mileena could do was nod. With that, Magnus took his leave, and Mileena was rooted in place. She felt denied, teased to no end by being so close yet so far from a chance to get closer to him.
She watched him go, Magnus showing no signs of fear or haste, and Mileena pouted. "…what the hell…"
It took nearly an hour for her to work up the courage to pursue him and, when she did, she made a beeline for the door to his room. Mileena found herself standing before the wooden panel, trying to find the perfect balance for her feelings. 'I can't come off as upset we didn't go further back there. I don't know if he feels the same way I do or if I'm coming on too strongly.'
Steadying herself with some slow, deep breaths, Mileena reached out and knocked three times before prying the door open. She could see Magnus within, sitting on his bed as though deep in thought. Blues eyes met brown and Mileena softly cleared her throat. "Can I come in?" She asked meekly. He nodded and she quietly padded inside and shut the door behind her. "My room suddenly feels… cold and lonely." She confessed, toying with her hands. "Could I… stay with you? E-Even if it's just for a moment." She felt the lump swell in her throat as she spoke her request. To her relief, Magnus slowly nodded again.
Mileena crept forward, hesitantly so, and gingerly found a seat on the bed next to him. She remained quiet, fidgeting with her hands. She swallowed nervously. "I'm… sorry if I made things awkward."
"You did nothing of the sort." Magnus softly replied. "As far as I could tell, our spar had ended with me as the victor." Mileena looked to him, but did not catch his eye. "The look in your eyes was… different from what I know." Magnus then confessed. "Not unlike when I was teaching you Glima."
Mileena brushed some hair behind her ear. "I-I feel like I should explain myself. But it's rather embarrassing." 'Especially in front of the one man I have eyes for.'
"If it makes you uncomfortable, you do not have to." Magnus said. "The last thing I would want is for you to feel awkward around me." His words caused her head to perk up. It got the gears in her mind turning, her thoughts turning from topic to topic as she dissected his response.
"You have shown more care and interest in me than the others." She noted quietly, looking to him. "Why?" Magnus did not respond right away, his gaze distant and almost vacant as he stared at the blank wall of his room. Mileena bit her lip, wondering if she'd pushed too far again.
"The more I learn about you… the more I see myself on you." He finally answered. "I also lost my family and my home. Just like you I was lost. Adrift. Drowning my sorrows living in an exile with no choice or chance at a life I wanted." He paused, eyes turning up to meet hers. "I would not force it on you, but I see us as kindred spirits. We have walked similar paths. Brought together by destiny or chance, I don't know. But I am grateful to have met you, Mileena…"
The warmth returned and Mileena trembled as his eyes peered into her soul. "I don't think I've ever met a man who thinks about me so genuinely as you do, Magnus." She confessed before she could think about her words. "In my worst moments, when I was at my lowest points, I had no choice but to sell my body to survive. In five-hundred years I've lost track of how many men I've been with out of necessity. I hated every minute of it… even though I felt there was nothing better for me." Mileena felt his eyes on her as she looked away. "But… here, with you… You are the first man I have ever felt this strongly about." She found the willpower to look back towards him, eyes meeting as the Yngling shifted to sit closer to her. He moved first, his thumb caressing her cheek as his index finger curled under her chin. His touch made her shudder and she tripped over her words. "I-I… please, I…" Mileena trailed off, lost in his eyes. Never once did he break contact.
"I've never met a woman as beautiful as you." He whispered. "Not just your body, but your skills… your knowledge… your teeth…" Mileena sucked in a shuddering inhale as he affirmed the one feature Shao Kahn loathed enough to disown her for. She felt like her eyes were watering. Her bottom lip trembled. "You. Are. Beautiful." A compliment, an observation, an affirmation, a statement, all in one. His voice went straight to her core and Mileena burned with need.
She leaned forward, lips parting again. 'Please, please, please don't deny me again…' She drew closer and closer, eyes suddenly flying shut when she felt her lips ghost against his. The kiss was soft, hesitant, a gentle sensation as she pushed to see where the boundaries were. Mileena pressed a little firmer, heart fluttering when Magnus reciprocated. She cupped his face, drawing herself closer until her chest was pressed against him. Their liplock grew eager, more energetic, until they had no choice but to part and breathe.
Magnus looked up and down, seeing the desire darkening Mileena's eyes. Her words, her look, her body was betraying her feelings, her wants and desires, and she refused to ashamed by them. "You want this," He whispered in a husky voice, both asking and affirming.
"Yes… Please, yes. I want you." Mileena replied, almost pleading with him. "Please, Magnus. I… I know I'm not pure anymore. But I've never felt like this about any man-" His lips were suddenly on hers, shutting her up with a kiss. Mileena immediately reciprocated, melting into him as her arms wrapped around his neck while his own slipped around her waist. When they parted, her eyes were half-lidded, and her tone was husky, and carried with it more than a small hint of just how pent-up she was. "Please…"
They made love that night. Slow, intimate, tender love.
There was no rush, no need to be hasty, they were determined to take things slow and do things right. Mileena's skills became evident and so too did Magnus', culminating in a euphoric state that dragged on for hours as they were united in mind, body and soul.
For Magnus it was bliss, it was passion… It was real. The intimacy he shared with Mileena was something he knew he would always treasure, something he knew was leading towards a relationship far deeper and stronger than the friendly allies they currently were. He was okay with it. He was willing to open his heart to this beautiful raven-haired woman with whom he shared a kinship over their likened losses.
For Mileena, there simply were no words to describe the night, and if there were she doubted they could do it a true justice. She felt adoration, euphoria, desire and such intense pleasure as she experienced true intimacy with Magnus, the kind she had always sought. And it felt amazing. Magnus made her feel wanted. He made her feel desired, cherished in a way that no one else had or could make her feel. For the first time in a long, she lowered her guard and opened herself up to the man who had stolen her attention…
In the end, with soft night light streaming in through the nearby window, clothes scattered across the floor, tangled sheets wrapped around them, Magnus and Mileena cuddled together in the afterglow. Sweet whispered words lingered in the air, nerve endings still buzzed with fading pleasure, drying sweat clung to every inch of their bodies... the perfect way to end such an intimate coupling.
Curled up to his muscular chest and content to rest within his warming arms, her body pressed tightly against his, Mileena nuzzled Magnus' body with her cheek before sleep claimed her, feeling so intimately connected to him and perfectly sated. Magnus felt similarly, his strong arms wrapped around Mileena's curvy frame as he held her, one hand reassuringly on the back of her head while the other rubbed her back in slow soothing motions. He fell asleep soon after, just as tired as her... but also just as content.
Author's Note: AYO they're back together just like that! You know I couldn't wait to get my signature MK couple into each other's arms again. Kinda the reason why so many liked the original stories. What next from here? We shall see… the tournament is on the horizon and Magnus and Mileena have some couples-navigating to do…
I suppose now's a good time to mention I have a discord server where I interact with my readers and give exclusive early access to new chapters! Links in my bio.