The throne room was eerily silent as the group entered, the weight of the air thick with the oppressive darkness that lingered within Shang Tsung's domain. Shadows clung to the massive pillars, and the flickering torch light seemed to only highlight the twisted elegance of the room. It was as if the walls themselves bore witness to countless atrocities, each one feeding the dark energy that emanated from the sorcerer's throne.
Kenshi led the group as they entered, his footsteps steady and unyielding despite the ominous atmosphere. His blind eyes, hidden behind dark shades, seemed to pierce through the darkness in a way that no one else could understand. Kenshi had been here before, felt the presence of evil that soaked into the very bones of the place. But this time, he wasn't going to fight. It would be Ivan.
Johnny Cage walked beside him, cracking a joke to Liu Kang, though it did little to lighten the mood. Liu Kang was all focused, his gaze straight ahead, knowing what was at stake. Raiden, too, was quiet, his godly presence undeniable, but there was a somberness in his steps, as though he knew they were walking into the lion's den. The other heroes close behind, each just as quiet. Kenshi felt a chill run down his spine as they neared the center of the room. He hadn't spoken much during the march, but his senses were on high alert. There was something wrong. The air was too still, the shadows too deep. As they entered the heart of the throne room, a deep, guttural laugh filled the space. Kenshi's hand instinctively reached for his katana, but he could feel it before he saw it: the oppressive presence of Ermac.
There, at the far end of the room, he stood. The soul warrior's form flickered like a distorted reflection in a broken mirror, his eyes burning with the souls of the damned. Ermac was always a terrifying figure, but now, as the group neared the battle's edge, Kenshi felt the full force of his malevolent power. This wasn't just a fight, it was a test. And Ivan would be the first to face the challenge.
"Kombatants, I present this latest creation of Shao Khan. He is many warriors, their souls fused into one being. Behold! Ermac!" Finished Shang Tsung as Ermac showed off his power for all to see.
Ivan Kozlov stood at the center of the room, his posture tense and ready. He had faced countless enemies before, but the presence of Ermac, the powerful, soul infused warrior was unlike anything he had ever encountered. His every sense screamed that this would not be an easy fight.
Ermac materialized from the shadows, his form flickering as he drifted forward, his eyes glowing with the eerie light of countless souls. His voice echoed, distorted by the many souls trapped within him. "We are many, you are but one!" Without waiting for a response, Ermac stretched his hands outward, and the floor beneath Ivan cracked, lifting massive stone slabs into the air. Ivan was quick, rolling to the side and narrowly avoiding the deadly barrage. He was fast, too fast for the casual observer, but even he knew this wasn't going to be a typical fight.
With a grunt, Ivan dashed forward, using his elite training to close the distance between them. He attacked with a flurry of punches and kicks, his military precision on full display. Each strike landed with force, but Ermac merely absorbed the blows, his body flickering and reappearing as though his form was intangible. Ermac raised his hand, and Ivan was suddenly thrown backward, crashing into a massive column. The stone splintered from the impact, but Ivan shook off the damage, grimacing as he pushed himself to his feet.
"You cannot win, soldier. Your will is nothing against the collective might of a thousand souls." Ivan's bloodied knuckles tightened. He had no choice but to press on. As he charged again, Ermac unleashed a devastating shockwave, lifting Ivan off the ground and hurling him across the room. He slammed into the far wall, coughing up blood, his vision blurred. The force of Ermac's power was unbearable, but Ivan still tried to rise. His body was battered, but his spirit remained unbroken. It was then that Ermac's eyes glowed brighter, his telekinetic grip tightening around Ivan's throat. Ivan's feet dangled above the floor as he gasped for air. His strength was failing him, but he fought to break free, pulling on the darkness around him. Yet, it was no use. The souls within Ermac were too strong.
With a final flick of his wrist, Ermac twisted his hand, and Ivan's neck snapped. His body fell lifeless to the ground, the sound of his fall echoing through the empty throne room.
Kung Lao stood in the shadows at the entrance, his eyes narrowing as he saw the grim end to the battle. "No one deserves to die like that," he murmured, his voice laced with quiet fury. "Ermac will pay for this."
Lance clenched his jaw, his heart sinking. Ivan had fought with a relentless drive, and yet... "He didn't stand a chance," Lance muttered, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. "That thing was tougher than half the creatures we've seen so far."
John McAlese watched from the side, his face grim. He had seen the brutality of war, but even he felt the sting of Ivan's death. "You don't last that long in the spetsnaz without knowing how to fight, how to survive," McAlese said, shaking his head. "But even the best can't take on something like that."
Liu Kang stepped forward, his expression solemn. He had seen countless warriors fall in the line of duty, but Ivan had stood as a symbol of strength. "The battle was never fair," Liu Kang said softly. "Ermac's power... it's beyond anything he's faced. I will challenge this abomination." No one argued.
Kenshi stood frozen for a moment, disappointed by the loss of an ally, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Ivan's death was tragic, but it was just one more reminder of the stakes in this tournament. Kenshi's had come to this tournament with a singular purpose, vengeance. Shang Tsung had stolen everything from him, his sight, his family, his honor. That was the true enemy. That was the one Kenshi had to defeat. Sentos' hilt was cold in his hands, but the fire within him burned hotter than ever. He didn't care about proving himself to Liu Kang. He didn't even care if he had to fight every soul in the room. What mattered was that Raiden saw his potential, saw his strength, and recognized him as a true threat to Shang Tsung. Only then would he be crowned earth's champion and could he finally take his vengeance. Kung Lao had just taken the initiative to fight Sheeva and gain favor. Kenshi would have to do the same if he wanted the right to fight Shang Tsung.
Kenshi's attention was unwavering as he focused on Ermac. The soul-infused warrior was a formidable opponent, but Kenshi knew this wasn't just a fight for survival, it was the chance to prove himself worthy of Raiden's trust. If he could defeat Ermac, show Raiden he was more than just a swordsman, he could challenge Shang Tsung at last.
"No… I will challenge Ermac." Said the swordsman to which the group froze. Sure he'd been a good fighter, but to this point rarely did he volunteer for anything beyond what was required of him.
"What game are you playing, Kenshi?" asked Raiden. "Allow Liu Kang to face this creature. You will not be able to defeat him."
"I'm not here to play games," Kenshi growled, stepping forward, his voice carrying the weight of his resolve. "I'll deal with you myself Ermac."
Raiden moved in front of him, his godly presence commanding attention. "Kenshi, your judgement is clouded by anger. Ermac is not your target, and you don't know the full extent of his power."
Kenshi's hands tightened on his sword, and his gaze remained fixed on Ermac. "I have Sento to guide me. Ermac is not any more dangerous than any of the other outworlders I've slaughtered." he said, his voice filled with unshakable determination.
Raiden's eyes narrowed, but he hesitated, his concern for Kenshi's recklessness palpable. Still, in the depths of his mind, he knew the truth, if Kenshi could best Ermac, it would prove he had the will and the strength to face the sorcerer. This was Kenshi's test, and he had no choice but to let him fight. Kenshi stepped past Raiden, his katana gleaming in the dim light. This was his chance to prove his worth, to show that he was more than whatever Raiden believed Sub Zero to be. He was worthy of being Raidens champion, not Liu Kang.
"Are you sure, Kenshi? I had hoped to finish you off myself," Shang Tsung sneered, his arms folded as he observed from the sidelines.
Kenshi exhaled slowly, steadying his grip on Sento. "I'm ready." Without hesitation, Kenshi lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air in rapid, precise strikes. Ermac twisted and weaved between each attempt, his movements unnatural, guided by the countless souls within him. With a flick of his wrist, he floated backward, levitating just beyond Kenshi's reach. Kenshi, undeterred, hurled Sento at his retreating foe. Ermac tilted his head, evading the projectile effortlessly. But Kenshi smirked. With a pulse of telekinesis, the blade reversed course, slicing across Ermac's masked face before returning to Kenshi's grasp. A faint trail of green energy seeped from the wound, but Ermac remained unfazed.
"Pathetic human," Ermac intoned, his voice layered with countless echoes. "A single soul cannot defeat Ermac."
Kenshi tightened his grip on Sento as the blade pulsed with a brilliant blue glow. "Sento has a soul of its own."
The warriors watching from the sidelines leaned forward. Kitana and Mileena, both standing beside Shang Tsung, exchanged uncertain glances. "Can Kenshi defeat Ermac?" Mileena muttered, unease creeping into her voice.
Shang Tsung remained silent for a moment, his gaze locked onto the battle. Then, with uncharacteristic honesty, he admitted, "I don't know… Kenshi has become far more dangerous than I anticipated."
Ermac raised his hands, emerald energy crackling between his fingers before he unleashed a barrage of soul-infused projectiles. Kenshi moved swiftly, slicing through the incoming blasts with precise strokes. As he advanced, Ermac clenched his fist, and an invisible force yanked Kenshi off his feet. Before he could react, he was flung violently to the side, crashing into the ground. He rolled, barely regaining his footing before Ermac struck again, hurling him backward with another telekinetic blast. Kenshi slammed against a stone pillar, pain jolting through his body.
"Your struggle is meaningless," Ermac droned as he floated forward.
Kenshi gritted his teeth. The telekinetic attacks were difficult to counter, Ermac could strike from a distance, keeping him off balance. But Kenshi had fought psychics before. He knew their strengths… and their weaknesses. As Ermac extended his hand for another attack,
Kenshi focused. With a surge of his own telekinesis, he anchored himself, resisting the force that sought to throw him again. Ermac's grip faltered, and Kenshi took his chance.
With a burst of speed, he charged forward, feinting a direct slash before twisting his body mid-strike. The change in movement caught Ermac off guard, and Kenshi's blade carved through his shoulder, causing the amalgamation of souls to reel back. Ermac retaliated immediately, his fist crackling with energy as he swung. Kenshi blocked with Sento, but the impact sent shockwaves through his arms. He staggered, barely avoiding a follow up strike that cratered the stone floor beneath them. Regaining his stance, Kenshi lashed out with a series of precise slashes, each one aiming for vital points. Ermac parried with bursts of telekinesis, but Kenshi pressed on, forcing him to retreat step by step. He surged forward, Sento flashing in a brilliant light. Ermac raised both hands to block with a telekinetic barrier, but Kenshi had anticipated it. Instead of striking the barrier directly, he redirected the force of his blade downward, shattering the ground beneath Ermac's feet.
The soul construct faltered, momentarily losing balance. Kenshi capitalized on the opening, driving his sword into Ermac's torso. Green energy erupted from the wound, the souls within him writhing in agony. Ermac staggered, but he was not finished. With a final, desperate surge of power, he unleashed an omnidirectional blast, sending Kenshi flying. Kenshi hit the ground hard, coughing as he forced himself up. He could feel the energy surrounding Ermac beginning to destabilize, the souls within him struggling for control.
"This ends now," Kenshi declared, gripping Sento with both hands. Channeling the full force of Sento's power, he launched himself forward, dodging Ermac's final, desperate attacks. With a powerful upward slash, Sento carved through Ermac's chest, severing the spectral bonds holding his form together. Ermac let out a distorted, agonized cry as his body flickered, his many souls unraveling. The arena fell silent as Ermac collapsed to his knees, his form barely holding together. With one final strike, he cut through Ermac's core, and the soul warrior exploded into a torrent of dissipating spirits, his essence scattering into the air. Kenshi turned his gaze to Shang Tsung, his expression unreadable.
The sorcerer scowled, but a hint of intrigue flashed in his eyes. "Impressive… but your true battle is yet to come. None of you are ready for Goro."
Kenshi merely tightened his grip on Sento. "You had better hope not, Sorcerer."