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Chapter Text

Day two of the outbreak, the death toll is 529, and 834 are injured just in Sun Do itself. The Empress had ordered a quarantine for the entire realm and under no circumstances were civilians allowed outside.

The Royal House was armed with more guards than usual and all glass ceilings and windows were covered, allowing very little light to shine through. It was hell, why would the gods let this happen?
It didn’t matter, what mattered was getting answers and most importantly, help.

It had only been two days and yet, hundreds of people were either dead from having their body sucked dry, or they were merely bitten and have succumbed to the Vaternian infection. This was bad, not like anything Outworld has dealt with before. They have never had to deal with a full-blown pandemic across the realm with an infection they knew nothing about.

Mileena, Kitana, Tanya, Syzoth, and Li Mei were escorted to the meeting room to discuss this outbreak further. According to what most people would say, they should be separated and locked away protected, but Outworld was different, in this world, you fight till the last breath.

Mileena took a feather and some ink and began to dot ink on the map that had been placed on the large table in the center of the candle-lit room. “The first infected was spotted in Sun Do,” she explained. “Then, there were reports in Edenia, Zaterra, and even Seido in the span of only two days.”

Li Mei tilted her head. “And it looks like it’s only going to get worse.” She pointed out. “We need more protection on the borders, any word on Reiko and the General?”

Tanya shook her head. “Ever since Kitana’s soldiers outnumbered them, they’ve been quiet.” She replied. “However, if this outbreak gets worse, we will need to call them for aid.”

Syzoth scoffed, thinking that idea was impossible. “And what makes you think Shao will help us?” He asked.

Mileena butted in, adjusting her mask. “If Outworlds in danger, he’ll listen.” She explained. “And if Shao’s army is not enough, we will need to call on Earthrealm for assistance.”

As Mileena continued to mark ink on the map, a low growling sound was heard from outside the door, followed by the sound of scratching. The five of them snapped their heads toward the door immediately. They shared puzzled glances, and the snarling grew louder.

Whatever was on the other side began to thrust its weight against the door harshly, attempting to bust it open. Mileena dropped the feather and reached for her sais while Tanya readied her own weapon. The hinges of the door were starting to give out as the thing banged against it one final time, breaking it down.

After the door was down, a winged creature flew into the room, hovering over the wooden remains of the door. It was one of the Vaternians, its mouth and hands covered in blood as it flapped its large bony wings.

The Outworlders were in a tiny state of shock as the vampire dashed down at them with a loud screech. Tanya managed to slam her weapon at the side of its head, sending it crashing down but unfortunately knocking into Li Mei and Syzoth before hitting the table and then the ground. The Vaternian quickly got up and bared its fangs as it lunged at Mileena, who was attempting to resist with all her might. The Vaternian twisted Mileena’s sais out of her hands and prepared to sink its teeth into her neck.

Tanya felt her heart skip a beat as she grabbed Mileena while Kitana grabbed the Vaternian, pulling them away from each other. The Vaternian turned around and opened its mouth as wide as it could go before pushing Kitana to the cold ground and plunging its sharp teeth into her vulnerable neck.

The Princess screamed in pain as the creature began to drink her blood. Mileena’s eyes widened at the sight and felt a chill down her spine. “Kitana!” She yelled, reaching her hand out to grab the Vaternian.

However, Li Mei regained her footing and pulled the creature off the Princess while simultaneously punching its face into the dirt. Her hits no doubt crushed bone as the Vaternian had stopped struggling and was twitching. As Li Mei shook the blood off her fists, everyone quickly turned their attention to Kitana, who was still on the floor, grunting at the pain.

Mileena tightly clasped her sister's hand. “By the Gods, Kitana…” she cried as she tried to help her get up.

Syzoth gritted his teeth as he got up from the fall he had taken. He looked at the dead Vaternian and then out the door. “How in the hell did it get past the guards?” He exclaimed.

Li Mei took a glance outside the room and felt her blood run cold as she saw the dead bodies of the Royal guards scattered around the Great Hall. Their skin was pale and drained of blood while some of them had their stomachs ripped open. “They….killed them so quietly.” She mused. She turned to help Mileena and Tanya get Kitana on her feet. “It’s not safe here anymore.”

Kitana groaned as she was lifted, the blood drenching her blue clothing, she blinked her eyes at her sister and then back at Li Mei. “What are we…going to do?” She asked.

Li Mei thought about it as she looked outside the room again, making sure they were safe. It was obvious the Vaternians were lurking in the palace and they needed to get away from prying eyes. “We need to get to the dungeons.” She answered firmly. “It’s probably the safest place in the palace.”

The rest of the Outworlders didn’t protest as they collected some supplies from the room and slowly made their way out the door. Mileena and Tanya were on both sides of Kitana with her arms wrapped around them helping her stand and walk. Li Mei and Syzoth led the way, being careful not to be loud.

Their footsteps echoed through the empty palace as they made their way down a long corridor that would lead to the dungeon. Corpses of the Umgadi priestesses were scattered around along with blood splattered on the walls and covered windows.

The smell of the dead bodies was unbearable, but the thought of being attacked again by those creatures was an even greater concern, so they kept on moving. Syzoth could see the large wooden doors that led to the dungeon's stairwell and let out a quiet sigh of relief. “We’re almost there.” He whispered.

The five of them made it while trying not to trip over bodies, the guards that were guarding the doors were lying on the floor lifeless with their throats ripped out. Syzoth scrambled to collect the keys in his pocket as they could faintly hear the sounds of snarling nearby. His slender fingers trembled as he found the correct key amidst the many on his keychain. He inserted the key into the lock and twisted it, popping the lock open. The large doors opened slowly with a loud creak that echoed through the large dark halls.

Mileena and Tanya helped Kitana down the stairs while Li Mei stood at the top of the stairs, holding the door open for Syzoth. Syzoth waved Li Mei away. “Join the Empress and the others.” He said as he looked up and down the hall.

Li Mei paused, she couldn’t leave Syzoth up here with those things. “What?” She asked. “What are you going to do?”

Syzoth gently pushed her back, trying to get her to comply. “I’m going to explore the palace and see if I can help any survivors,” he explained. “I’ll be fine, trust me.” He was practically wrestling with the First Constable so he could close the door.

Li Mei huffed as she let go of the door and looked at the Zaterran with a heavy gaze. “Please…please be safe Syzoth.” She pleaded as Syzoth shut the door, leaving her surrounded in darkness. On the other side of the door, Syzoth took a deep break and turned himself invisible, running off deeper into the palace.

Li Mei made her way down the steps where candlelight began to come into view, calming her senses. Mileena and Tanya had laid Kitana down on a bed in one of the open cells and cleaned up the blood that soaked her injured neck.

Kitana was pale in the face as she lay in the worn-out bed, the covers she had on her didn’t help the trembling, her crown and mask was removed, allowing her thick black hair to snake around her face and neck. Tanya eyed Li Mei coming down the stairs without Syzoth and she raised an eyebrow.

“Where is Syzoth?” She questioned as she set their supplies down on a nearby table.

Li Mei sighed, hoping Syzoth wouldn’t get himself killed or worse. “He stayed behind to find and aid survivors.” She answered as she peeked into the cell Kitana was resting in, watching Mileena stay by her side.

“Survivors? What happened?” A familiar voice asked from a cell in the corner. Li Mei and Tanya turned their heads to the cell where a groggy man was sitting up in bed. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes and stared at the two women standing by, giving him a look of disdain.

“This doesn’t concern you Rain,” Tanya replied to him. “Stay out of it.”

Rain, now fully awake, got out of bed and walked towards the iron bars that separated the fallen High Mage and the other Outworlders. He noticed Kitana in the other open cell, inhumanly pale looking. He spotted the bite mark on her neck and narrowed his eyes. Although Kitana wished him dead, he still had a place in his heart for her as she was one of his only childhood friends, but unfortunately, he had made the gravest mistake of betraying his own realm and was now locked away in the dungeons, awaiting his beheading. However, such matters would have to wait. He ran a hand through his messy dark brown hair. “What happened to her?” He asked motioning to the princess.

Li Mei paced back and forth, still worrying about Syzoth. “Once again,” she began bluntly. “None of your concern.”

Rain furrowed his brow. “Hey, I don’t care what you think of me, Constable,” he replied. “But know that I still care for the princess, and I am just concerned for her well-being.”

Li Mei walked closer to the bars. “Is that why you sided with the General to overthrow the throne? Is that why you killed an entire city without a second thought?” She rhetorically asked, receiving no answer from Rain. “That's what I thought.”

Rain gripped the bars with his sweaty fingers as Li Mei walked away. He exhaled heavily, releasing his grip on the rusty bars. “I would at least like to know what has happened,” he spoke up. “There’s obviously some reason why you all are huddled down here.”

Tanya eyed Mileena as she continued to cater to Kitana and glanced back at the Hydromancer. She sighed and placed her weapon on the table. “Vaternians have caused a pandemic all across the realm.” She answered. “Hundreds are dead and even more have been turned into these mindless followers.”

Rain’s eyes widened, he had been locked up for months and he could barely remember the last time he had seen his mother, the thought of her being dead or worse was unbearable and he needed to make sure she was safe. “My- my mother,” he murmured. “Is she okay?”

Tanya sighed as she placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t know Rain,” she responded sadly. “Mileena has ordered all citizens to stay in their homes until further notice, she should be safe.”

That answer didn’t satisfy Rain, he slumped on his creaky bed and held his head in his hands. He didn’t want to accept the fact that his mother could be in danger, he couldn’t. As he pondered his mother's fate, he looked back at Kitana and Mileena and felt that pang of guilt he had been feeling every time he looked at them. He felt so stupid, siding with Shang Tsung, then Shao and Reiko, and then Havik. He himself couldn’t believe that he had done such terrible things, he didn’t have time to dwell on the topic though as Mileena closed the bars to Kitana’s cell with a loud creak and walked to the table.

She grabbed a piece of paper and some ink and began to write a letter. “I know we agreed on calling the army first,” she began. “But I don’t want to know what will happen to my sister and the whole realm if we don’t have anyone who knows how to control this.” Mileena quietly scribbled on the paper before rolling it up.

Once she was done, she tied a string around the rolled-up letter. “Okay, now we just need to find a way to get it to the portal.” She said as she placed it in her pocket.

Tanya crossed her arms. “We could wait till night,” she put forward. “Vaternians can’t survive in the sun.”

Li Mei shook her head. “Ever since they invaded the realm it’s been cloudy outside, allowing them to be out throughout the day,” she reminded. “Any other ideas?”

Rain listened intently to the brainstorming and an idea popped into his head. “The river.” He called out, causing them to turn their heads to him. “I can manipulate the water so it can carry it to the portal gate.” His words only made the women roll their eyes.

“You are the last person the realm needs help from,” Mileena argued. There was no way in the Ten Hells she would ever place her trust in Rain again, not after what he had done.

Rain huffed, he moved closer to the bars once more, his brown skin looking bronze in the candlelight. “You just talked about calling the military for help,” he pointed out angrily. “What? So the General and his lapdog get forgiveness but I don’t?”

Mileena walked closer to the bars, eyeing her childhood friend down. Neither of them dared to break eye contact, she breathed heavily through her pink mask, thinking about Rain’s idea. The river ran from the palace all the way to Sun Do’s portal gate, if they could manage to venture out without being caught, and Rain could sway the water in the right direction, the letter could reach Earthrealm. She didn’t really want to admit it, but this seemed like their best bet. “Fine.” She grumbled. “But make one wrong move out there, and I’ll leave you to get eaten alive, understand?”

Rain nodded in agreement, he didn’t mind the threat she gave, he’s heard dozens of them by many people of the Royal Court. He was just happy to be out of his cell and be given a chance to protect his realm from these plague-like creatures. He watched as Mileena grabbed the keys off the mossy stone wall and unlocked his cells.

Rain eagerly stepped out and even though they were still in the dungeons, he felt liberated. This most likely wouldn’t last long so he was determined to make the most of it. “Thank you, Empress.” He smiled.

Mileena didn’t respond verbally, instead, she narrowed her eyes and motioned for him to get a move on. Rain didn’t argue, he moved forward and stole a glance at Kitana once more. She was fully asleep now and looked peaceful, hopefully, it would last.

Mileena followed behind as they slowly began to walk up the steps, she looked over her shoulder, staring at Li Mei and Tanya. She nodded to them, quietly reassuring them that she would be fine. This was mostly directed towards Tanya, her brown eyes looking back at Mileena, silently praying for each other that everything would be okay.

The two disappeared out of sight as they made their way up the stairs. Rain tucked his hair behind his ears and Mileena readied her sais once more, prepared for both the sorrow of seeing the realm in this state and the determination of getting that paper to Earthrealm, for who knows what will happen if Outworld crumbles.

Darkness enveloped the two, making Mileena accidentally trip Rain multiple times, not like she would apologize for it anyway. After countless trips and wrong foot placements that made their ankles bend in ways they weren’t supposed to bend, they managed to make it to the top and slowly push the doors open.

Like last time, they opened with a loud creak that made the pair’s ears hurt. Rain’s blood ran cold as he saw just how bad it was, the countless corpses scattered around, the splattered blood on the walls and floor, the unbearable smell that assaulted his senses, and the deprivation of natural light due to the covers on the windows all made his body shiver and he felt bile in his throat but he quickly swallowed it, pushing forward, now was not the time to be a coward.

They reluctantly stayed close by each other, watching each other’s backs as they made their way down the halls, and into the palace garden. Li Mei wasn’t exaggerating when she mentioned the cloudy sky, the dark grey clouds stretched for miles, letting no sunlight in, the flowers were dying due to lack of light and water, and even more blood was seen dribbled on the stones that made paths through the garden. The once breathtaking sight was now a solemn reminder of what was going to be lost if they failed their realm.

The sound of running water could be heard across the tall hedges, Rain immediately followed the sound, Mileena following behind. With ease, they jumped the hedge and were face to face with the river. The way it flowed so effortlessly was a sight to see and hear, it was calming. But the sounds of lurking Vaternians quickly snapped them out of their trance.

Mileena turned her attention back to the Mage. “Whatever you’re going to do, do it now.” She pestered as she took the letter out of her pocket and wrapped it up tightly in a nearby discarded cloth, trying to prevent water damage. She placed it in the river and moved back, allowing Rain to take the lead.

Rain closed his eyes and took a breath, he hadn’t been near water in so long, except from what he was given in his time in imprisonment. The feeling of the soothing liquid on his skin felt like a dream, he opened his eyes and began to move his hands, separating a part of the water and forming it into a trail for the letter to follow. It flowed down the water at a fast rate, maneuvering down to Sun Do. Rain moved his hands with elegance, he always liked to seem graceful whenever he used his magic, even when he wasn’t showing off. Mileena watched from the garden balcony down onto Sun Do where the water trail continued to move.

The portal was in view from where Mileena watched and the water eventually found its mark. The portal opened with a bright fire, allowing the water to drop the letter off before Rain snapped his fingers, calling the water back to retake its shape with the river.

It was done. They did it, now all they had to do was wait and lay low, but with the rising body count and Kitana now falling ill, they weren’t sure how long they could hold out…

Chapter Text

Liu Kang’s white eyes scanned through the letter that had been successfully delivered from Outworld to Earthrealm, more specifically the Fire Temple where the God and the Earthrealm champion were reminiscing about old times when the portal opened, and a trail of water dropped off a bag that contained a rolled up letter. Raiden, Kung Lao, Johnny, and Kenshi were sitting at the wooden table in the center of the room as Liu Kang rolled the letter back up and took a deep breath. “This is urgent,” he revealed. “It appears Outworld is in the middle of a pandemic involving Vaternians.”

Jonny raised an eyebrow. “Vaternians?” He repeated. “Like that Nitara chick?” That earned an eye-roll from everyone.

“Is the Empress and her family ok?” Raiden asked with a slight blush on his tan face. Johnny noticed it and chuckled a bit, Raiden has made no effort to keep his crush on Kitana a secret.

Liu Kang gave a slight nod and reassuring smile. “I’m sure they are well,” he replied to Raiden, trying to mask his confusion on why Vaternians were becoming such a threat. As far as everyone knew, they were starving in their realm and could not survive in the sun. Unfortunately Mileena didn’t give much details in her SOS, just that the realm was under attack by the blood-thirsty creatures and they needed help. “We must travel to Outworld this instant,” Liu Kang spoke up again as he walked to the portal gate, preparing to open it.”All of you, gather some belongings and be back quick, I will call upon the Shirai Ryu to ask for assistance.” The Earthrealmers nodded and quickly made their way to their rooms. Raiden and Kung Lao had separate rooms, opposed to Johnny and Kenshi, who had been sharing a guest room at their stay at the temple for reasons that everyone knew.

Johnny went on his side of their closet and backed some spare clothes, shoes, the sword he made Kenshi give to him when he gave Sento back, and spare shades. Kenshi packed mostly the same things in his own bag as he already had Sento on his back. As Kenshi was zipping up his bag, he turned to Johnny. “I’m confused.” He thought out loud.

Johnny threw his bag over his shoulder and strolled over to Kenshi. “What’s the matter?” He asked.

Kenshi ran his fingers through his black hair as he looked at Johnny. “Weren’t the Vaternians starving the last time we visited Outworld” He questioned. “Now they’re causing a pandemic?”

Johnny shrugged as he rested a hand on Kenshi’s tattooed shoulder. “Well, we’ll find out when we get there.” He replied as planted a kiss on his cheek. “Come on, let’s go.”

Raiden and Kung Lao already had their own bags packed as Kenshi and Johnny hustled each other out their own room. They quickly made their way back to the fire God as he began to slowy open up the fiery portal. It felt nostalgic, walking back into Outworld like this, and getting to reconnect with their allies, unfortunately the circumstances are not good this time. All five of them walked through the portal, feeling the air change against their skin. The Earthrealm sun faded away, replaced by a dark cloud-filled sky. The smell of rotting corpses assaulted their senses, causing vomit to build up in some of their mouths.

Outworld was in shambles, to put it simply, the smell of blood and decay was around every corner, and the bone chilling shrieks of the infamous Vaternians were now in earshot. “By the Elder Gods…” Liu Kang murmured. The champions were frozen in place, shocked by the sight of the realm, it was once so vibrant, now, it’s practically devoid of life.

Liu Kang motioned for all of them to crouch down, they obeyed, getting low to the ground. The flapping of wings swooshing from above sent chills down their spines but they managed to retain their composure as they slowly made their way to the palace while continuing to stay crouched. “This, is so much worse than I expected.” Liu Kang whispered, looking at the bodies spread across the streets.

Raiden stayed close to Kung Lao, trying not to step on some of the branches scattered on the stone pavement that had fallen from the cherry blossom trees above them. Raiden couldn’t keep his worry for Kitana from bothering him, the mere thought of something happening to her sent shivers down his spine, but he knew that she was more than capable of defending herself.

Johnny stayed close behind Kenshi as Sento guided him to lead the way. Kenshi couldn’t see the true colors of the blood stains that covered the scenery, but the smell alone was all the information he needed to put together how horrific things had gotten.

They managed to make it up to the palace’s drawbridge, it was lifted up, not allowing them easy access. Damn it, Liu Kang spotted the heavy chain that was connected to the bridge on top of a now abandoned guard post. Looks like they would have to let themselves in.

Liu Kang looked over at Kung Lao, motioning for him to cut the chain with a nod of his head. Kung Lao nodded with a cocky smirk, he gripped the sharp rim of his hat, ready to throw it, until a loud nearby inhuman scream threw him off track. He caught a glimpse of a pair of large wings before he was pinned to the ground. His back was dragged against the stone ground, causing immense scrapes that made him wince. The female Vaternian gritted her bloodied fangs as she attempted to dig her claws into Kung Lao’s throat. Kung Lao had a death grip on her wrists, keeping her at bay while simultaneously shaking.

Raiden grabbed the edge of the Vaternians wing, sending painful electric shockwaves through her bones while trying to pry her off of Kung Lao. But the Vaternian didn’t seem to be affected by the attack. She glared at Raiden before turning her body to the side and knocking him to the ground with her muscular wing. Raiden’s hat flew off as he hit the ground with a resounding thud. He groaned in discomfort, trying to get back up.

A smirk appeared on the Vaternian’s bloody lips as she resumed trying to take a bite out of Kung Lao. She opened her mouth and prepared to feast, only to feel a piercing pain tear through her body. She glanced down with wide eyes, staring at the bloody katana that was protruding out where her heart was, she hiccuped as the sword was roughy taken out, causing dark blood to spill out the wound. Her body trembled as she slumped to the ground, still on top of Kung Lao. He moved her off of him and to the stone pavement. The last seconds of her life slipping away as she looked up at them with feral red eyes while snarling. Ultimately, she took in her last raspy breath before ceasing her movement for good.

“Get that damn bridge down.” Johnny panted, staying close to Kenshi. Kung Lao nodded as he scrambled to get off the ground, he grabbed his hat and cocked his arm back to aim. His hat flew out of his hand as he released his grip. It spun around, hitting the sliver chain, and separating it with a loud clunk. It frisbeed back to his hand, nearly cutting a finger or two off as he put it back on his head. Kung Lao turned his gaze to Kenshi who was wiping the blood from Sento. “Thanks,” he blurted out while watching the bridge lower.

Kenshi nodded, watching the bridge as well but also stealing glances at Johnny to make sure he was also alright. “Don’t mention it.” He replied with a tilt of his head. The drawbridge eventually lowered all the way, revealing the large wooden doors that granted entry to the Great Hall. Liu Kang beckoned for the champions to get a move on as they stepped onto the wooden bridge. They made their way across, now face to face with the doors. Liu Kang pushed the doors open slowly, trying not to make too much noise.

The inside of the palace was similar to outside, filled with the smell of decay and the sight of dead bodies all around. “Do not get distracted,” Liu Kang ordered softly as he narrowed his eyes. “We must find the Empress.”

“Over here!”

Mileena and Rain appeared from behind the corner, covered in blood. They ran up to the Earthrealmers. “Lord Liu Kang,” Mileena panted. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Liu Kang nodded. “It is no problem, Your Majesty,” he replied. “We came as soon as we received the letter.”

Johnny raised an eyebrow as he eyed Rain, who was standing behind Mileena. “What’s he doing here?” He asked with confusion. “Shouldn’t his head be cut from his shoulders by now?”

Rain narrowed his dark brown eyes. “I’m not in the mood to explain myself to anyone, Earthrealmer.” He replied in annoyance.

Liu Kang turned to Johnny. “That is not of importance right now, Johnny Cage,” he scolded. “What matters now is getting these Vaternians under control, what’s your plan, Empress?”

Mileena shrugged her shoulders, looking around at the bodies. “I want to reach out to General Shao,” she answered with uncertainty. “But I’m not sure how long we can hold out, we just spent the last ten minutes fending off Vaternians, there’s just no end to them.”

Raiden tilted his head. “Is Kitana ok?” He asked.

Mileena sighed. “My sister was attacked and is now in serious condition.” She replied.

Raiden felt his throat tighten at Mileena’s answer, he crossed his arms and tried to mask his anxiety and fear.

Rain sighed. “We need to get back to the dungeons,” he put forth, tucking his hair behind his ears to get it out of his face. “Let’s regroup and figure out what to do.”

Kung Lao scoffed. “Who died and put the traitor in charge?” he asked sarcastically, making Rain grit his teeth. “Mind your place, Earthrealmer,” he growled. “We have bigger problems than bringing up past mistakes.”

Kenshi crossed his arms. “You call drowning a whole city a mistake?” He questioned.

“Enough!” Mileena yelled. “Let’s get back to the dungeons and regroup like Rain said.” Everyone took a breath and nodded as Mileena led the way back to the dungeon, she opened the doors and they made their way down the pitch black stair well, trying not to trip. They made their way down to the cells where Li Mei and Tanya were waiting.

Tanya eyed Mileena and her gaze softened as she ran up to her. “You’re alright?” She asked with a smile.

Mileena nodded as she wiped the fresh blood from her forehead. “I’m fine, how’s Kitana?” She asked as she looked at the inside of her sisters cell. Tanya looked at Kitana and her lips curled into a frown. “Her temperature is through the roof, and she’s pale as a ghost, we don’t have any medicine down here, i don’t know what to do.” She replied nervously.

Li Mei was leaning against the stone wall with her arms crossed and her hair taken out of its signature high ponytail. She noticed the Earthrealmers and nodded. “Glad to see you all have came.” She smiled.

Liu Kang smiled back. “Of course, Constable,” He replied while looking around the damp dungeon. “I am sorry that the realm is going through this unexpected tragedy.”

Li Mei nodded as she walked into Kitana’s cell, kneeling down to the princess to attend to her weakened body. “Did you by any chance see Syzoth out there?” She asked.

Raiden shook his head. “No, didn’t see him.” He answered. “I’m going to go get this dirt off my outfit though.” Raiden went into the hall to dust himself off.

Mileena sighed. “We need the military,” she blurted out. “Any ideas on how to contact Shao and Reiko?”

Rain tilted his head. Thinking about the bond he and Reiko shared before shit hit the fan. “I’ll see if I can find Reiko.” He spoke up. “It probably won’t be hard.”

Li Mei scoffed. “You’re still trying to be a hero.” She mused.

Rain rolled his eyes. Gods, stop it! He’s trying to help, isn’t that enough? “If everyone is done fucking berating me, I’ll be on my way!” He yelled in frustration. “Someone come with me, incase things go bad.”

Everyone looked at each other, waiting for the other to speak up. Eventually, Kung Lao huffed. “I’ll go,” he announced. “Don’t think Reiko will be too pleased to see Raiden.”

Liu Kang nodded. “Be careful, both of you,” he warned. “It’s dangerous out there, and Shao and Reiko are still enemies.” That last bit earned another eye roll from Rain as he threw on an old cloak and wrapped it tightly around his body, making sure to cover up his skin to avoid being bitten. He knew Reiko, at least he thought he did, he was only a little bit older than he was when Shao returned from the raid and brought in that scared little boy. Rain kneeled beside him and took off the purple cape he wore and draped it over the small boys trembling body.

shh, it’s ok.

Rain pushed Kung Lao in front of him. “Get a move on, Monk.” He pestered.

Kung Lao’s eyes narrowed at Rain’s audacity. “Hey, hands to yourself, Mage.” He advised.

Li Mei got in between the two men. “Both of you get a move on so we can move forward with a plan,” she motioned with frustration.

Both Kung Lao and Rain were now at each other’s throats, the other looking into their eyes. This was pointless, but Kung Lao’s ego and Rain’s refusal to give in to a demand made by an Earthrealmer were clashing at a very very bad time.

”Both of you chill the fuck out!” Johnny added in, his brows furrowed.

”Stay out of this, Earthrealmer.” Rain responded coldly. “You are all the same with your egos and attitudes.”

Johnny scoffed at Rain’s comment, generalizing, as if Outworld wasn’t backwards enough. “How about i take that staff of yours and shove it down your throat?” He threatened. Raiden had arrived back and saw the argument, with a sigh, he trailed off into the corner.

”Cage, enough.” Kenshi firmly said, grabbing Johnny’s arm. No, hell no, this wasn’t the damn time for this.

Mileena shook her head and stormed into Kitana’s cell, wanting to get away from the chaos. She sat on the small barrel being used as a makeshift chair next to Kitana’s bed. She was still sleeping, her breath coming out in short rasps while the bite mark on her neck was beginning to swell. Mileena rocked herself back and forth on the barrel, trying to ease her nerves. Kitana was or, should be, everyone’s top priority as she was sick and needed something.

A faint smile painted Mileena’s lips as she stroked her sisters hair, this would pass, hopefully, whatever it was. She was just glad that Kitana was still breathing, that was good right? A sharp pain stabbed Mileena’s mouth, fuck, serum is wearing off, as is Mileena needed more problems.

“You’re going to die”

Mileena felt the hairs on her neck stand up, she stood up from the barrel, she looked around, nobody else was in the cell, her eyes landed on Kitana, who was still asleep, she tilted her head. That couldn’t have been Kitana, could it? No, what is she thinking? Why would Kitana say that in the first place? She’s going crazy…what said that? That eerie whisper.

Mileena took a breath, exiting the cell, to return to ease the conflict between Kung Lao, Rain, and now Johnny. “Enough of your childish behavior,” she scolded. “Both of you, get out there and find Shao and Reiko, now.”

Kung Lao and Rain frowned at each other before huffing in agreement. Tanya and Li Mei rolled their eyes, finally, “you should do it now, it will be night soon and even darker.” Tanya advised.

Kung Lao crossed his arms as Rain finished grabbing a few things for the road, they headed up the stone steps and disappeared into the darkness. Liu Kang kept his hands behind his back, hoping that they would make it back.

”What do we do for now?” Kenshi asked, staring at the celling.

Li Mei thought for a second before walking over to the bags of supplies they had brought down with them, they pulled them open and emptied them on the table. “We should start with organizing these supplies.” She suggested, pulling out spare clothes, candles, matches, cans of food, and water canisters. “There are a handful of us down there, these cans will be have to rationed.” She tossed a can to Tanya.

Tanya set the can down on a nearby barrel. “We will have to venture to the surface for food eventually,” she pointed out.

Mileena sighed, helping Li Mei organize their supplies. “We will discuss that problem another time, dearest Tanya,” she softly spoke. “I hope you Earthrealmers brought some things of your own.”

Raiden plopped his bag down on the table with a bittersweet smile. “Hope these help, Your Majesty,” he sighed. “If I may ask, where is the princess?”

Mileena raised an eyebrow to the lighting user. “She’s right in there, Raid-“ Mileena’s confused smile dropped as the cell was empty… “w-what?”

The blankets covering Kitana’s sick frame were thrown on the floor, the bed was in shambles, and empty, which was the more concerning part. Where the hell did she go? Mileena tuned fully around, pacing to the empty cell, checking under the bed for good measure. “Where is my sister?” She frantically asked, making everyone draw their attention to Kitana’s missing presence.

Tanya was left flabbergasted. “I had just checked on her Mileena,” she answered. “I have no idea.”

Liu Kang’s calm demeanor flattered for a moment, he had saw the state Kitana was in when they had made it down, she was in no way in shape to get out of bed.

”I don’t understand how she could just disappear!” Mileena yelled in worry, causing Tanya to rest a hand on her tan shoulder.

”maybe she-“

”you’ll all going to die tonight,,”

that…inhuman voice made everyone snap their heads in the direction it came from. The sight that greeted, to say it would send chills down your spine would be an understatement. The hallway behind Kitana was pitch black, adding a horrid backdrop to her body. Her skin was fully white, devoid of color, her hair was a darker shade of black, almost a void, her body slowly swayed back and forth, her feet struggling to keep her upright, the bite mark on her neck was oozing pus while swelling and bleeding, her expression was one of horror and sadistic, tears were replaced by dark blood, running down her cheeks, the only color on her body beside her vibrant blue outfit, her eyes were devoid of pupils, a white, lifeless, void.

Mileena felt her heart drop into her stomach, her sister, or whatever this thing was, was horrid to look at, the smell that came off was putrid. She instinctively took a step back along with everyone else.

Kitana’s face went from a numb expression to an inhuman grin that stretched across her face, revealing her fangs that had grown in. Her fingers twitched as her body contorted, making her bones snap. A faint giggling could be heard behind her pearly white teeth.

Li Mei’s blood ran cold, her legs involuntarily shaking beneath her. “Kit-Kitana…?” She murmured, not thinking she was heard.

”Kitana’s not here, you fucking idiot!” It shrieked, it’s eyes fixed on the terrified group. “You’ll never see that coward again.” The creature swayed back and forth even more and ended up collapsing on the hard ground.

the group stayed still, some of them holding their breath while others were trying not to hyperventilate. Mileena felt tears in the corners of her brown eyes. She was heartbroken, and horrified. 

Raiden felt his chest tighten as he saw Kitana sprawled out on the floor, his felt the need to help her, it was still her, right? Raiden took a bold move, moving closer to the princess’s body.

”Raiden, what are you doing?” Johnny whispered through gritted teeth, making Kenshi stay behind him. Raiden ignored him as he kneeled down to her level. He rested a hand on her head, trying to make sure she was ok, then, came the pain in his hand, specifically the space between his thumb and index finger. He felt fangs dig their way into his soft flesh, drawing blood. He screamed as Kitana clamped down on his hand, her eyes, though no pupils, showed a hunger like no other. He attempted to pull his hand out her mouth but to no avail. 

The group rushed to Raiden’s side, prying Kitana off him, Raiden yelled in agony as Kitana finally let go, the blood pooling out her smiling mouth. Liu Kang held Kitana by the arms behind her, restraining her. She struggled against the God, snarling as she spazzed out. Liu Kang dragged her over to the cell and tossed her in, quickly locking it.

Kitana banged against the bars with her body, causing her head to bleed. She laughed sadistically, pulling at the bars frantically. “Let me out you fucking coward!” She yelled. “I’ll rip your soul out and feast on it!” 

Mileena covered her mouth in horror. “My gods, what happened to her eyes?” She asked in a hushed tone. She looked over at Raiden who had a nasty looking bite on his hand, he winced in pain as Johnny and Kenshi attempted to help him. 

Tanya and Li Mei walked over to Mileena. “What the hell was that?” Li Mei asked. 

Mileena panted. “I- I don’t know, I saw some people who had features like Kitana, but I didn’t know what it was from, I figured it was from being bitten but I wasn’t completely sure…”

they looked back at Raiden. “So then that means…” Mileena trailed off as Raiden cried in pain as Johnny poured water over the wound. 

Tanya shrugged. “Keep Raiden in quarantine to watch for side effects. I suppose.” She spoke up, looking at Liu Kang who was pacing.

”we don’t know what the side effects even are…” Mileena reminded. This was bad so bad…

Chapter Text

As the setting sun cast its golden rays across the murky swamp, Kung Lao and Rain trudged through the knee-deep water, their movements slow and deliberate. The air was thick with the putrid stench of rotting vegetation, and an eerie silence hung over the landscape like a heavy cloak.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Kung Lao asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, I'm positive," Rain replied bluntly, his eyes darting about the swamp. "They’ve set up camp here many times.”

As they continued to push forward, the water began to shallow, revealing a network of muddy paths winding through the dense foliage. The air grew warmer, and the smell of decay gave way to the rich, earthy scent of vegetation. Suddenly, Rain paused, his body tense. "Shhh!" he hissed, holding up a hand. "Do you hear that?"

Kung Lao strained his ears but heard nothing over the rustling of leaves and the distant croak of frogs. "I don't hear anything," he whispered, frowning.

As they drew closer, however, the sound grew clearer: a low, guttural moaning that seemed to echo through the trees. Rain exchanged a worried glance with Kung Lao, and they crept silently forward, their senses on high alert. The trees parted ahead, revealing a small clearing at the center of the swamp. In the center of the clearing stood a Vaternian, its back turned to them as it feasted on a dead body wearing a familiar uniform. The air was thick with the stench of fresh blood and the metallic tang of spilled intestines.

The Vaternian was elbow-deep in the guts of the copse, tearing and ripping at the flesh with savage abandon. Its leathery wings were folded behind its shoulders, casting a shadow across the corpse. Blood dripped from its claws and smeared its face as it tore free another fist-sized hunk of steaming innards. Its back arched as it let out a guttural growl, revealing blood-soaked fangs.

Rain and Kung Lao stayed crouched, not daring to make a sound. The creature eventually wiped its mouth before spreading its wings, dashing into the dark sky, and disappearing among the trees. Rain and Kung Lao exchanged a worried look.

They slowly got up and walked up to the corpse, the smell being enough to make them gag. “Devataon dvaara...” Rain muttered under his breath as he examined the body.

The Vaternian had torn the body apart, leaving nothing but a bloody mess behind, his throat looked like it had a bite taken out of it, his eyes clawed at, and his intestines strewn about the clearing. Kung Lao felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked at the gruesome sight and back at Rain.

“This is one of Shao’s soldiers,” Rain noticed. “Fortunately, this means that they are not far.”

They continued through the dense and wet foliage, trying to avoid the branches on the ground.

"Rain," Kung Lao said, his voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves, "do you think Shao and Reiko will aid us?” He asked.

Rain furrowed his brow. “I hope so,” he replied. He was relying upon his and Reiko’s bond that he’ll stop thinking in black and white and help them with this invasion.

They continued to trudge through the swamp, the mud sucking at their feet with each step. The air grew colder as they neared the edge of the swamp, the trees giving way to thick brush and rocky outcroppings. 

They spotted another clearing up ahead, this one filled with makeshift tents and campfires, there was a group of soldiers circled by a large tree, discussing something. Rain managed to listen in on the conversation, straining his hearing.

“Do you think we’ll be leaving this swamp soon?” One of them asked. “I don’t like being here, I feel like…something’s out there.”

Rain and Kung Lao exchanged a worried glance as they crept closer to the group, staying hidden behind a large rock.

”You’re being paranoid,” another soldier added. “There’s nothing out there but a few frogs and insects.”

“Enough congregating and get back to work!” A raspy voice shouted at the soldiers, making them jump.

Ah, that voice that Rain knew all too well. Reiko.

As the two continued to watch, Reiko emerged from the shadows, he was wearing more armor than usual, his black hair hanging loose, his tan skin was covered in scars and mud, and his white baggy eyes glowed in the firelight, indicating a lack of sleep from the Lieutenant. He surveyed the group of soldiers with a stern expression.

"I want a perimeter set up around the entire camp," he ordered. “No one is getting in or out.” He turned away from the soldiers who were now following his orders.

Rain motioned for Kung Lao to stay back as he followed Reiko, who was making his way to a tent away from prying eyes. He stayed in the leaves, trying to remain hidden.

“You can come out, I know you’re there.” Reiko spat, not bothering to turn around.

Rain felt a chill down his spine and slowly emerged from the foliage, his hands raised in a show of peace. He approached Reiko cautiously.

“Aren’t you supposed to be beheaded?” Reiko asked with a sneer. Rain sighed, his expression sad.

"I was hoping for your help, not your judgment." Rain replied.

Reiko laughed darkly, a humorless chuckle. "Help? Why should I help you? You betrayed Shao, betrayed everyone here. You should be dead.”

Rain looked at Reiko, his expression softening. "You're right, Reiko. I should be dead. But I'm here, asking for your help because we need the army’s support.”

Reiko scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, so now you need me? Where were you when you had the chance to help Shao? But instead flooded a city?”

Rain winced at the memory, his expression pained. "I made a mistake, Reiko. A mistake I've regretted ever since. But what you two did wasn’t any better…but…that’s not why I am here! We need your help.”

Reiko looked at Rain, his expression softening slightly. "Help with what, Rain?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rain took a deep breath, "I need you, Shao, and the army to come to the palace, there’s an outbreak.” He answered.

Reiko thought for a moment, his expression shifting between doubt and uncertainty. "And if I were to refuse?" he asked.

Rain knew he needed to put his foot down, so he stepped closer with narrowed eyes. “I’ll drown you and your General.” He warned.

Reiko snorted, "You think I'm afraid of you?"

"No," Rain replied, shaking his head. "I don't think that. But I know you're not stupid. You know what's at stake here. You know what needs to be done. I'm not asking you to trust me, I'm just asking you to trust your heart and trust Mileena, and trust that this is the right thing to do. If you don't help us, I'll make sure you regret it."

Reiko's eyes narrowed as he glared at Rain. "You're not in charge here, Rain. You have no say in what I do."

Rain felt hot in the face as he gripped Reiko’s shoulder. “Gods, just listen to me, Reiko! Get off your high horse and pay attention to someone other than Shao!”

Reiko winced as Rain gripped him hard, his face twisted in anger. "Listen to you?” He growled. “I would never willingly talk to you again, you selfish prick.”

Rain grew confused. “Selfish? I was your only friend growing up! And am I also a fool to believe we still are?”

Reiko wrenched his shoulder free from Rain's grip. "You're not my friend," he spat. "You're just another pest to crush.”

“That’s enough Lieutenant.” A deep voice called.

Rain and Reiko turned to see General Shao standing nearby, his arms crossed over his chest. His expression was stern, but there was a hint of understanding in his eyes.

Shao looked at Rain with disdain. “What the hell are you doing here, Zeffeero?” He asked.

Rain looked at Shao, a mixture of anger and hurt in his eyes. "I came to ask for your help, Shao. To ask you to join us, to help save our people." He paused, swallowing thickly. "I thought Reiko would understand."

Reiko snorted derisively. "I understand all right. I understand that you're nothing but a traitor."

Rain shot him a glare. “Oh, you’re one to talk,” he replied. “There’s nothing more treacherous than a soldier betraying his homeland.”

Shao raised an eyebrow at that. "You speak of betrayal, Zeffeero? You killed thousands when you flooded the city. Do you think anyone here is truly innocent?"

Reiko looked uncomfortable at that but didn't say anything, a rustling in the bushes made him turn around.

“Can you both shut up and listen to him?” Kung Lao exclaimed. “Your people are dying out there!”

Reiko glared at the monk. “An Earthrealmer?” He questioned. “How dare you bring along these lowlife people, Rain?”

"Shut it, Reiko." Rain growled, his anger rising again. "Kung Lao's here because he knows what he's talking about. He's seen what I've seen, and he's here to help." He turned back to Shao. "General, please. Just listen to us."

Shao remained silent for a moment, his expression thoughtful. He glanced at Reiko, then at Kung Lao, and finally back at Rain. "Very well," he said at last. "I will hear you out."

Reiko turned to Shao. “Sir, you can’t actually-“ he began to protest.

The General silenced him with a raised hand. "I said I would hear them out," he repeated. "That does not mean I have made a decision one way or the other."

Rain nodded gratefully to Shao, while Reiko glared at them both. Rain took a deep breath, steadying himself before beginning to speak. "Alright," he said. "From what I’ve seen, it appears that Vaternians are causing a pandemic across the realm,”

Kung Lao interjected, "Theirs bodies everywhere surrounding Sun Do, one of your soldiers was out there completely disemboweled.”

Shao looked grim, but he didn't immediately respond. Instead, he motioned for them to continue. Rain took another deep breath, steadying himself. "The creatures are also not burning in the day time either, even so, the clouds are blocking the sunlight.”

Reiko snorted derisively. "You're grasping at straws, Zeffeero."

“Go see the dead body out there for yourself.” Kung Lao replied.

"Very well," Shao said, his expression grave. "Then let us go and see this for ourselves." He turned to Reiko. "Lieutenant, you will accompany us."

Reiko bristled. "But, sir! I can't just-"

"Lieutenant, I am giving you an order." Shao's voice was stern, but there was an edge of understanding in it as well. "You will accompany us.”

Rain nodded gratefully to Shao, but Reiko's expression was still one of defiance. He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end, he knew better than to disobey a direct order from his superior. With a reluctant sigh, he fell into step behind Shao, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

As they made their way through the camp, the tension between Rain and Reiko was palpable. Reiko muttered insults under his breath while Kung Lao led the group to the spot where they had found the dead soldier. When they arrived, they were met with the gruesome sight of the disemboweled body again, its insides strewn about the ground. Rain knelt beside it, his face pale and his hands shaking.

"Look at this," he said, pointing to the wounds. "I don’t think these weren't made by any Vaternian I've ever seen. They're too aggressive. And look at the bite marks on the throat."

Reiko scoffed. "So you're saying this was done by some kind of super Vaternian? Rain, come on.”

"I'm saying that something isn't right here," Rain snapped back. "Something else is going on, and we need to find out what it is before it's too late."

Kung Lao nodded in agreement, his expression grave. "I have seen the same things, General Shao. I believe Rain is correct."

Reiko rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, you two. This is ridiculous. There's no evidence-"

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud, gurgling scream rents the air. They all turned in the direction of the sound, just in time to see a group of Vaternians swooshing through the trees.

"Look out!" Rain shouted as he sprang to his feet. The others followed suit, drawing their weapons and readying themselves for battle. The Vaternians closed in quickly, their claws and fangs bared, their hissing cries filling the air.

Reiko managed to grab one in the air by its ankle and slam its body against the ground, but another quickly lunged at him. The four men fought furiously, their weapons clashing as they struggled for purchase. Rain dashed forward, summoning a spiral of water to send one of the creatures flying back to the ground.

Kung Lao skipped against a tree and leaped into the air, spinning his hat in circles before sending it down onto another Vaternian's head. The creature let out a shrill cry of pain before being decapitated. Shao held his own, deflecting claws and dodging swipes with expert precision.

Reiko, however, was having a harder time. A particularly large and agile Vaternian had him pinned to the ground, its claws raking at his armor with abandon.

Rain saw this and immediately acted. He focused his energy, gathering water from the air and forming it into a massive wave. With a mighty thrust, he hurled the wave at the creature pinning Reiko down. The wave knocked the Vaternian off of Reiko, sending it tumbling several feet away.

Reiko rolled to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He glanced at Rain, then back at the creature that had been holding him down. As the wave dissipated, he drew his knife and prepared to finish it off. The Vaternian lay still, water streaming from its limp body.

"Thanks," Reiko muttered, wiping the mud from his face.

"You're welcome," Rain replied, his expression serious.

The battle continued for several more minutes, with the four warriors fighting together seamlessly despite their earlier tensions. Finally, they managed to defeat the last of the Vaternians, and the camp fell silent once more. Rain took a deep breath, his chest heaving as he fought to catch his breath.

“So…about that help?” He asked.

Shao crossed his arms, thinking about his next words carefully. “I suppose we can head out to the palace.” He mumbled. “Lieutenant, round up the troops and prepare for the expedition.”

Reiko nodded curtly and hurried off to carry out Shao's orders. Rain watched him go, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He turned to Kung Lao, who was wiping the blood from his hat. "I suppose I owe you an apology.” He spoke.

"For what?" Kung Lao asked, arching an eyebrow.

"For doubting you and the Earthrealmers," Rain replied. "I didn't mean to come across as...you know. I just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page."

Kung Lao shrugged. "It's all right. I understand,” he replied. He then chuckled. “Sometimes you Outworlders are insufferable as well.”

Rain laughed, the sound echoing through the trees. "I'll have you know that I am the least insufferable Outworlder you could possibly find."

Their banter was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Reiko strode up to them, a determined look on his face. "General Shao, the troops are ready. We can leave whenever you are."

"Very well," Shao replied. "Let’s all get a move on.”

As they set off through the swamp, Rain found himself walking alongside Reiko. The Lieutenant cast him sideways glances, clearly still uncertain about Rain's motives. Rain decided to break the silence.

“About what you said earlier, about us not being friends,” he started, carefully choosing his words. Reiko tensed but didn't say anything. Rain continued, "Did you mean it? After all the times we hung out as children?”

Reiko hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "I suppose I didn't mean it as much as I thought I did. It's just...things have changed, you know?" He looked away, his voice trailing off.

"I know what you mean," Rain said quietly. "Things have changed for me, too. But I still care about you, Reiko. And I want to help."

Reiko rolled his eyes and walked over to Shao, leaving Rain alone with Kung Lao. The Earthrealmer chuckled. "Well, it seems Reiko's still not quite convinced.”

"I hope he'll come around eventually," Rain said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "We had some good times together, didn't we?"

Don’t splash me with water, Rain!

Oh, come on, don’t be a baby, Reiko!

Reiko and Shao walked side by side, glancing at their soldiers as they marched. The young Lieutenant still wasn't sure if he could trust Rain, but he knew that he could no longer ignore the bond they had shared in the past. As they approached the palace, a sense of nervous anticipation filled the air.

“Sir?” Reiko voiced.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" Shao replied, turning to him.

"I was just thinking...if we manage to stop the Vaternians and restore peace to our realm, what do you think will happen to us?" Reiko asked, hesitantly. “Will we be executed?”

Shao narrowed his eyes. “Are you scared?” He accused.

Reiko felt his cheeks flush. "No, sir. Just...wondering."

"Well," Shao said with a sigh, "it's hard to say what will happen. If we succeed, we might be welcomed back into the Royal Ranks, and if that’s the case, I could successfully take the throne.”

Reiko nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "And if not?" he asked softly.

Shao frowned. “Are you doubting me?” He questioned.

Reiko shook his head. “Of course not, Sir, I was speaking hypothetically.” He clarified. 

Shao huffed. “Focus on your current tasks, not hypotheticals.” He ordered.

The palace came into view as they continued their march. Its towering spires and gleaming walls shone like a beacon against the gloomy sky. “I want soldiers around every entrance to the palace.” Shao ordered.

Reiko nodded and shouted out the command. The soldiers quickly spread out, forming a tight perimeter around the palace. “Everyone else is hiding out in the dungeons, come on.” Rain said.

Rain opened the doors to the dungeon and led them down the stone steps into the dimly lit room, where the survivors were waiting. Eventually, Liu Kang, Mileena, Li Mei, and Kenshi came into view.

“You’re back, praise Argus.” Mileena smiled.

Rain returned her grin. "I’ve managed to convince these two, soldiers are now surrounding the palace, we’re going in the right direction.”

The group all exchanged sad glances as Rain spoke. “You may have to hold that thought, Rain.” Mileena advised, glancing over at her “sister”

Rain followed her line of sight and he felt his heart drop into his stomach when the sight of the princess crab walking on the wall of the cell came into view.

"Oh," was all he could say.

Reiko glanced between Rain and Mileena, a frown on his face. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice low, he moved closer and jumped back, genuinely startled for the first time in a long time.“Son of a bitch!”

“What the hell happened to her?!” Kung Lao asked.

“She was bitten.” Li Mei answered.

The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming heavier with a mix of fear and disgust. They all knew that the bite of a Vaternian was a serious ordeal but none of them had seen it firsthand.

“Unfortunately, Raiden was bitten by her before we managed to get her under control.” Liu Kang revealed.

Kung Lao’s eyes widened. “What?!” He exclaimed. “Where is he?”

Liu Kang pointed to an opened cell across the room, Kung Lao dashed over to it, his heart racing. Raiden was sitting on the bed with Johnny and Tanya by his side. Raiden’s hand was bandaged, and his hair was hanging in his face. He glanced up at Kung Lao and smiled. “You’re back.”

Kung Lao nodded, unable to speak. He moved closer, taking a seat beside Raiden. The others joined them, sitting in a semicircle around the bed. There was an awkward silence as they waited for someone to say something.

“How’s your hand feel?” Johnny asked.

Raiden grimaced. "It hurts, but I'll be fine. I'm more worried about her." He gestured to the princess in the cell across from them. “I…I’m not gonna turn into that, am I?”

No one answered…

Chapter Text

Rain paced around the dungeon, stealing glances at Kitana now and then. The way her bones could be heard snapping and popping as she bent her body in unnatural ways was haunting him and made the panic of finding his mother all more intense.

Reiko stood silently, his expression grim. He had seen his fair share of battles, but this felt different. This felt like more than they could handle. He glanced at Rain and Mileena, knowing they were thinking the same thing.

Liu Kang and Mileena spoke in hushed tones, planning their next move. Kung Lao paced back and forth, his hands balled into fists. Johnny and Tanya watched over Raiden, doing their best to comfort him as he struggled with the knowledge that he had been infected.

Rain eventually found himself sitting down next to Kitana's cell, staring at her as she writhed on the ground. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her, even as she twisted her body into impossible shapes. The sound of her bones cracking filled the air, making him shudder.

What if his mother was already gone? Or if she had been bitten just like Kitana and was a shell of her former self? Rain shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts. He couldn't think that way. He had to believe there was still hope. He had to believe they could find a way to save her. But the longer he stared at Kitana, the more he felt that hope slipping away.

But he could only imagine the pain that Mileena was feeling, to see her own sister suffer so horribly. Rain reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before touching her shoulder gently. "Mileena..." he whispered. "I'm sorry about your sister... I don't know what to say."

Mileena turned to look at him, her eyes red from crying. "It's not your fault, Rain," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's mine. I should have been able to help her. I should have been faster..." Her voice trailed off, and she wiped away another tear.

Kenshi cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to the task at hand. "We need to find a way to stop this, and fast. If we don't find something soon, there's a chance the infection could spread to all of us." He glanced at Raiden, who was still sitting on his bed, his face pale and drawn.

Li Mei stepped forward, her face resolute. “With the army now surrounding the palace, we should focus on finding some sort of way to reverse the infection.” She advised. "There must be some sort of antidote or cure that we can make.”

Liu Kang pondered in the corner, his eyes glowing in the faint light of the dungeon. “If there is no other way, we might be forced to seek a cure from Shang Tsung.” He announced, causing a stir amongst the group.

“Absolutely not!” Mileena exclaimed, her face contorting in disgust. "I'll never let myself be at the mercy of that monster again!”

Liu Kang raised an eyebrow at her. "I understand your distaste, Your Majesty, but we must consider all options. If it means saving Raiden, Kitana, and all of Outworld, then I am willing to do whatever it takes."

Rain couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine at the mention of Shang Tsung. He remembered the last time he had put his trust in him, and how badly that had turned out. But then he thought about Kitana, twisting her body on the floor of the cell, and he knew that there was no other choice. They had to try anything to save her.

Shao had been leaning on the stone wall, silent, observing the group. At the mention of Shang Tsung, he cleared his throat. "We do not need a sorcerer's hand,” he grumped through fangs. “The army is strong enough to handle this.”

Raiden gave a weak nod of acknowledgment before coughing violently, his body racked with pain. Tanya hurried to help him, handing him a can of water. He took a few sips, trying to catch his breath. “I- I can’t breathe…” he wheezed.

Kenshi glanced at Raiden with concern, then looked at Liu Kang. "Do you really think it's wise to involve Shang Tsung? What if he decides to double-cross us?" He questioned.

“Then he’ll fucking regret it,” Reiko answered across the room, sharpening his knife on the wall.

Liu Kang frowned, not quite sure how to respond to Reiko's casual brutality. He turned back to Raiden, concern etched on his face as he noticed the bite on his hand starting to fester. He knelt, looking at it carefully.

Tanya tilted her head, regarding Raiden with a frown. "It looks like the veins around the bite are turning black.” She pointed out. "I can try to clean it and apply some antibiotic, but if it gets to his brain..."

“Why don’t we cut his hand off?” Johnny asked with a nonchalant tone, then raised a confused eyebrow as everyone shot him a flabbergasted look. He shrugged. “They do it in zombie movies don’t they?”

Raiden frantically shook his head, "No, no! Don't amputate it! I need my hand." He struggled to sit up straighter, wincing at the pain in his side. "We have to find another way. I can't... I can't lose it."

“Are you crazy, Cage?” Li Mei exclaimed as she shoved Johnny on the shoulder.

Johnny winced, rubbing his shoulder. "Well, it's just a thought. We need to find another way. I'm sure we can find something." He looked around the group, unsure what else to say.

Reiko laughed. “How about we let him turn into that?” He smiled cruelly, gesturing to Kitana, earning him a smack upside the head by the General. "Hey, I'm just sayin'," Reiko grumbled, rubbing his head.

Shao scowled. "This is not the time for jokes, Reiko." He growled. "We must focus on protecting Outworld.”

Liu Kang got up from kneeling, dusting off his clothes. “I am going after Shang Tsung, I need assistance.” He announced.

Tanya nodded, her expression grim. "I'll help you, Lord Liu Kang."

Mileena felt her heart flutter. “Then I’ll come to.” She quickly added.

“Me and Johnny will come along,” Kenshi spoke up, taking Sento out of the sheath.

Li Mei looked around at the group and sighed. “Syzoth’s not going to like this.” She muttered as she adjusted her armbands.

Kung Lao leaned on the wall. “I’ll stay with Raiden.” He revealed, not wanting to leave his best friend alone in agony, but Raiden shook his head.

“No it’s okay,” he insisted, struggling to talk. “I’ll be fine.” He gave Kung Lao a reassuring look that made him give in and agree to go with Liu Kang.

Liu Kang sighed, reluctantly leaving his champion behind. They all filed out, heading for the stairs. “General Shao,” he spoke calmly. “I would like you to assist as well.” He waited for a response with a not-so-hidden pleading look.

Shao huffed, not wanting to give this god anymore of his time, but as he looked at Kitana…he saw a flicker of Sindel, the features on her face, though smeared with blood, sparked a striking resemblance to the woman he once served. He may have tried to overrule her, but he had always had a soft spot for her daughters, though he would never admit it, let alone show it. He eventually nodded. "Fine. I'll come." He folded his arms, looking unimpressed. “Don’t take this as a sign of respect or alliance.”

Reiko nodded, cracking his knuckles, but before he could join the group up the stairs, Shao placed a scaly hand on his chest, pushing him back down. "No, you stay here,” he ordered gruffly.

Reiko clenched his jaw, glancing from Shao to the others. "What? Why do I have to--"

Shao narrowed his eyes, the glare cold and unyielding. "You stay here and protect our weapons, food, and other items. I don't care if you like it or not." He turned away, striding up the stairs to join the others.

Reiko glowered after Shao, clenching and unclenching his fists as he fought the urge to punch something. But he knew better than to defy the General. Perhaps this was for a good reason, the General was a smart man after all. So, with a huff, Reiko turned away, watching as everyone traveled up the steps, leaving him, the best soldier in Outwolrd, fucking babysitting.

Rain glanced at Reiko before turning to the steps. Reiko narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re leaving as well?” He inquired.

Rain hesitated, his expression conflicted. He glanced at Reiko, then back up the stairs, before sighing. "Yeah," he replied softly. “I need to make sure my mother is ok.”

Reiko crossed his arms, his lips forming a flat line. Rain raised an eyebrow, a smile spreading across his face. “Going to miss me, Lieutenant?” He teased.

Reiko scowled. "Not in the slightest." He lied, though not convincingly. Rain laughed softly, shaking his head, staring at the man before him, his eyes trailed from his uniform to his dark hair, his strong jaw, and his piercing white eyes. Apparently, his gaze lingered for too long, because Reiko suddenly asked, "The hell are you staring at?”

Rain blinked, realizing he'd been caught. "Nothing," he muttered, quickly looking away.

"Right, sure," Reiko drawled, arching an eyebrow. "Well, you'd better get going then." He turned away, his back to Rain.

Rain looked up the stairs and back at Reiko, he knew that every time he went to the surface, there was a chance he wouldn’t come back, so he took a deep breath and made a move that he was sure would get him pulverized.

Reiko!” He called as he ran up behind him. Reiko turned around curtly only to be met with Rain’s lips on his own. He froze. What the hell was happening? The kiss was gentle, and tentative, like Rain was afraid Reiko would push him away. He gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze before breaking the kiss and running up the stairs, leaving Reiko in a state of shock.

He instinctively went to wipe his mouth with his hand but paused, touching his lips instead. He couldn't deny that there was something there, something he couldn't quite place. The kiss had been brief but...intimate. He hadn't known Rain like that, hadn't even considered it possible. His heart raced, and a strange warmth spread through his chest but he quickly crushed it, knowing he needed to be on track with his orders.

He approached Raiden’s cell, taking in his pale appearance. He cleared his throat. “How are you holding up?” He asked, his voice having no actual genuineness behind it.

Raiden turned his head, the expression on his face distant. "I've been better.” He replied. “I thought you were leaving?”

Reiko rolled his eyes. “I’m stuck down here,” he answered. “Was told to watch over everything.”

Raiden snorted. "Well, that's just lovely. The best soldier in Outworld reduced to babysitting duty."

Reiko glowered. "Shut up," he muttered. "You're the one who’s bitten."

Raiden’s smile dropped as he remembered the throbbing pain in his hand and the overwhelming weakness that had consumed him after being bitten. "I didn't think she would attack me,” he muttered, more to himself than to Reiko.

Reiko crossed his arms, watching the other man carefully. "Well, you should've," he replied curtly. "Now we're both stuck here until the General or someone else finds that sorcerer.”

Raiden nodded in agreement as he let out a harsh cough, the veins around the bite seemed to grow darker as they traveled up his arm. "My arm feels like it’s on fire,” he grunted.

Reiko frowned, watching the other man carefully. "I'll see if I can find something,” he muttered as he walked over the bags on the dusty tables. He dug through them, searching for anything that might help with the pain, however a giggling sound from behind made him pause.

He turned around, his expression darkening as he saw Kitana sitting in an awkward position on the bars, her hands and feet resting on the gaps between them. She was giggling, the sound unsettlingly manic and high-pitched. "You don’t scare me.” Reiko huffed, walking back over to Raiden.

"What are you talking about?" Kitana asked, her voice sounding inhuman while still giggling. "I could rip your throat out right now if I wanted to." She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "And you know it."

Reiko didn't bother to respond. He glanced at Raiden, who seemed to be growing more and more pale. He was coughing violently now, his whole body shaking. "Reiko," Raiden gasped between coughs. "I think...I think Johnny was right…” he gasped. “I think we need to…”

Reiko looked at his hand, seeing the black veins now completely covering the forearm. He narrowed his eyes, knowing what Raiden was implying. He sighed before pulling Raiden out of bed, feeling like he was carrying dead weight. He took out his knife, as he firmly placed Raiden’s arm on the table. “This is going to hurt like fucking hell, you know that right?”

Raiden hesitated, was this worth it? He stole a glance at Kitana, swaying back and forth with blood pooling from her eyes. Yeah, yeah it was. He nodded weakly, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. "Just...do it." He gasped. "Get...it over...with."

Reiko placed the knife against Raiden's forearm, right below his elbow, not hesitating even for a moment before pressing down hard. Raiden let out a high-pitched scream, his body jerking violently as the knife cut through the skin and muscle. Blood spurted out of the wound, splashing onto the table and their faces.

"Keep still!" Reiko snapped, his own face contorted in a grimace. He sliced through the tendons and veins with ruthless precision, feeling a sickening tearing sensation as he severed the tissue. “Take a deep breath.”

Raiden screamed in agony. “You’re just now fucking telling me that?!” He shrieked, his voice hoarse and raw from the pain. Blood continued to pour from his arm, soaking the table and their clothes. The pain was intense, like a white-hot branding iron pressed against his flesh, but he forced himself to breathe through it. He focused on the knife in Reiko's hand, willing it to end the torment.

The knife hit bone with a sickening crunch, and Reiko grunted as he struggled to cut through it, slowly grinding the knife against the white surface. Raiden screamed, his body arching off the table, his vision going white from the pain. He could feel the wet heat of his blood dripping down his chest, pooling on the floor beneath him.

Reiko tossed the knife aside. “It’s not enough,” he grunted. “We need something bigger.”

Raiden was too weak to even cry out. His vision was blurring, darkness creeping in at the edges of his sight. He forced himself to focus on Reiko as the other man reached for a cleaver on the table. The cleaver was massive, the blade at least a foot long and inches wide. Reiko hefted it effortlessly, his movements fluid and practiced. He positioned the cleaver above Raiden's arm, holding it steady with both hands.

"This is going to hurt more," Reiko warned. "But it'll be over quicker." He took a deep breath, steeling himself before bringing the cleaver down with all his might. The cleaver sliced through Raiden's arm like butter, sending a wave of agony coursing through his body. Blood sprayed everywhere, painting the walls, the floor, and Reiko's face.

Reiko stepped back, wiping the blood from his eyes. "Fucking hell," he muttered. He grabbed a towel and pressed it against Raiden's arm, trying to staunch the flow of blood. The stump of Raiden's forearm was nothing but a mess of flesh and bone. "You okay?" he asked, his voice sounding distant even to his own ears.

Raiden was shaking uncontrollably, his breath coming out in ragged gasps. He could feel the pain starting to subside, the adrenaline beginning to fade. He looked down at his bloody arm, numbly watching the blood pump out of it. "I think..." he started, his voice barely audible. "I think I'm going to pass out."

Reiko carried Raiden back to the bed, gently laying him down. He grabbed a rag and wiped the blood from Raiden's face and chest. “This had better be fucking worth it.” He said out loud.

Raiden's vision swam, darkness closing in around the edges of his sight. He forced himself to stay awake, to focus on the pain. It was the only thing keeping him from slipping into oblivion. He looked up at Reiko, his eyes barely open. “Thanks.”

Reiko didn't answer, instead, he turned away, moving to the far side of the room. He stood there for a moment, his back to Raiden, his arms crossed. The silence stretched between them, the tension palpable. He sat down on a nearby chair, his eyes fixed on the floor, his thoughts racing.

Minutes passed, the pain in Raiden's arm slowly receding as he lost consciousness. Reiko glanced over at him, his expression unreadable. He sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "I hope this works," he muttered under his breath. "For both of our sakes."

“You’re a fucking fool,” Kitana spoke with wide eyes and an emotionless face.

Reiko turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "And you’re an infected beast.” He replied.

That only got a giggle out of the creature as she slid down the bars, her bones cracking with each harsh movement of her limbs.

"You think that's funny?" Reiko demanded, his eyes narrowing.

Kitana only smiled wider, her pale features twisting into something even more unsettling. "Oh, no," she said, her voice cold and mocking. "Not funny. Not at all." She leaned forward, her chest pressing against the bars.

Reiko felt a chill run down his spine at her proximity. He forced himself to stay calm, to keep his expression neutral. "Then what do you want?" he asked, his voice steady. "You want to talk?"

Kitana's smile only grew wider, her lips curling up into a cruel sneer. "I wanna suck you dry.” she cooed, licking her fangs.

Reiko chuckled. “I’m more into redheads.” He joked, trying to keep his composure.

Kitana simply giggled as she retreated to the corner of the cell, her smile growing wider and wider. Reiko shrugged the feeling of disgust off as he started to clean the mess of blood up, hoping that Shao, and especially Rain, would come back soon.

Chapter Text

Liu Kang led the group through a dark tunnel overgrown with moss, ivy, and roots. The air was damp and cold, and the only light came from the blue and orange fire dancing in the palm of his hand.

"So, what's the plan?" Johnny asked, his voice echoing through the cavernous space. "After we find Shang Tsung, if we even do, how do we conceive him to help?"

Li Mei placed a hand on her hip. “Perhaps force?” She suggested, her tone cold.

Liu Kang frowned. "We can't just threaten him. We need to convince him that it's in his best interest to help us."

Mileena frowned behind her mask, "the only thing he cares about is power. I don't see how convincing him of anything will help."

Johnny nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he's always been a bit of a dick. I don't know why we are turning to him for help.”

As they continued walking, Kung Lao started to pant slightly, his movements sloppy as he grabbed onto Johnny’s arm. "Are you alright, Kung Lao?" Johnny asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Kung Lao gasped, "Just need... a moment." He leaned against the rocky wall, catching his breath.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Kenshi asked, frowning. "You don't look so good."

Kung Lao forced a smile. "I'm fine, really. Just a little out of practice, that's all. Let's keep going." He wiped the sweat from his brow and straightened up, trying to ignore the growing ache in his muscles.

Shao narrowed his eyes and scoffed, looking at Kung Lao's labored breathing. "We don’t need you fainting on us, Earthrealmer.” He muttered, before walking towards the front of the group, leading the way himself. “The door to the laboratory to up ahead.”

As they continued, the tunnel opened up into a large cavern, the air thick with the scent of burning candles and incense. At the far end of the cavern, a massive wooden door stood before them. Shao pulled the lock, breaking it off before pulling open the heavy doors with a loud creak that echoed through the laboratory.

Inside, the laboratory was dimly lit by flickering candles and strange, otherworldly devices. Shelves lined the walls, filled with beakers, jars, and strange apparatus. A large worktable stood in the center of the room, covered in even more equipment and a variety of specimens. But the rotten corpses of Shang Tsung’s prisoners in the cells around them were the most horrific sight of all. The group stood silently, taking in the grisly scene, each trying to ignore the unbearable stench of death and decay.

Johnny felt a chill run down his spine as he recognized the cell that he, Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Baraka were thrown into all those moons ago, their own personal hell. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his anger in check as he surveyed the other cells, seeing the lifeless bodies of those who had been unfortunate enough to cross Shang Tsung. The sight was almost too much to bear. "Well, this place certainly hasn't improved since we were last here," he muttered to no one in particular, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Tanya noticed some papers on a nearby workbench and examined them. The black ink on the notes was fresh as if someone had been working on them recently. "Looks like he’s still around,” she pointed out. “These notes have fresh ink.”

"Good, that means he's close," Shao growled. "Let's find him."

Without another word, Shao strode forward, making his way through the maze of shelves and tables. The others followed close behind, their eyes darting this way and that as they searched for any sign of Shang Tsung. The lab seemed to stretch on forever, the shadows playing tricks on their minds as they wandered deeper into the heart of the madman's lair.

Rain felt his blood go cold as he remembered all the times he had visited Shang Tsung’s false front laboratory that was just above them, he thought he was helping his childhood friend with her tarkat disease, that the sorcerer just wanted to help. Oh, how wrong he was… He had no idea of the horrors that took place in this underground lair. The sight of the rotten corpses of the innocent people made his stomach turn, the stench of death was overwhelming.

He glanced at the General. “Shao? Why didn’t Reiko come along?” He asked.

Shao shrugged. “I told him to stay behind and guard everything,” he answered, his tone unreadable. “Besides, if Raiden were to turn, Reiko wouldn’t hesitate to put him down.”

"I see," Rain said, glancing at Shao with concern. He hoped the General was right about that, he couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to Reiko, especially after the kiss he pulled him into earlier.

“You’re blushing…” Shao pointed out in a low voice.

"What? I'm not!" Rain exclaimed, feeling his face heat up even more. He was glad that the dim lighting in the lab made it difficult to see his blush clearly. He glanced away from Shao, trying to think of something to respond with. “I-I was just thinking about Reiko, that's all," he mumbled.

Shao narrowed his eyes at Rain. "And yet, you can't help but blush," he replied, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I think you like him more than you let on, Rain."

Rain felt butterflies in his stomach as he looked away. “Mind your fucking business.” He grumbled as he walked away.

"Heh. Touchy." Shao chuckled softly, shaking his head.

Up ahead, they spotted a large door with metal latches on it. Liu Kang pushed it open, revealing what looked to be a twisted experiment room. There was a large operating table in the center of the room, covered in a bloody sheet, there were discarded surgical tools surrounding the table. The walls were lined with shelves, each one filled with jars containing organs and body parts.

Mileena noticed the outline of something or someone under the sheet on the operating table. She walked over to it and cautiously reached her hand out to touch it. As she wrapped her fingers around the fabric, a voice from the shadows called out. “I wouldn’t touch that if I were you,”

Shang Tsung stepped out of the shadows, a smug smile spreading across his face. He was dressed in his usual gold robes, but his hair hung loosely around his face. "Oh, I see some of my old friends have decided to pay me a visit," he purred. "How unexpected, but most welcome."

Mileena clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into her palms. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” she muttered, her voice shaking with anger and disgust, "but we need your help."

Shang Tsung let out an amused scoff as he put his hands behind his back. “I see, with the Vaternians I presume? Well, I suppose I can spare you a few moments of your time. I take it you’re here to ask for a cure?”

Rain looked at the sorcerer warily. He couldn't believe the man had the nerve to be so nonchalant about all of this. "You owe us that much, Shang Tsung," he spat. "You've taken enough lives."

Shang Tsung tsked under his breath. "Oh, Rain. Still the hypocrite I knew before.” He sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, I am not too educated yet on the creatures, it’s a miracle I was able to even study this one.”

The group exchanged glances. "This one?” Mileena repeated quizzically.

Shang Tsung smirked as he gracefully lifted the bloody sheet with one hand, revealing a Vaternian strapped to the operating table. The creature was pale, its skin almost translucent, revealing a network of veins and arteries beneath. It immediately lunged at the group, making a few of them stagger back, it let out shrieks of anger and pain, its wings looked to be cut off, leaving the floor below the table soaked in blood.

"They're quite interesting, aren't they?" Shang Tsung purred, his voice almost soothing despite the creature's thrashing. “A single bite or scratch…” he moved his hand to the Vaternain’s mouth and quietly moved it away when it tried to bite him. “And you’re infected. They carry a virus, unlike anything I've ever encountered. It spreads through the bloodstream, invading every cell in the body. Within days, hours, or perhaps even minutes, the host's mind turns on them, leaving them a void of their former self." The creature shrieked again, its body thrashing wildly on the table.

Mileena felt her heart drop, knowing that this was what Kitana was going through broke her into pieces. She wiped away a tear as Tanya placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Shang Tsung looked at the group, his expression amused. “I have had a splendid time studying these creatures, but I fear that my knowledge of them is still rather limited…” he paused before smirking once more. “Very well, I shall aid you, but only because I find this situation most amusing. Now, where do we go from here?”

Li Mei produced a pair of cuffs she held onto before the outbreak. “Making sure you don’t run off.” She answered as she secured Shang Tsung's wrists behind his back tightly. The sorcerer didn’t even flinch as he was restrained but instead gave a mock pout. “My my, such drastic measures. I assure you, I have no intention of leaving just yet. I am far too curious to see how this little adventure plays out."

"We're going to get the cure and save my realm," Mileena growled through gritted teeth. "Don’t even think about double crossing me again.”

Shang Tsung chuckled softly, his head held high despite the cuffs. "Oh, you wound me, Your Majesty. I would never dream of trying anything funny. You have my word." He looked at Mileena with an amused expression, as if he found her threat rather adorable.

As they began to walk out of the room, Rain turned back to the Vaternian on the table and picked up one of the bloody scalpels left on the table. He quickly stabbed the creature in the head, putting it out of its misery.

"There," he said, wiping the blade clean on the bloody sheet. "That's one less creature to worry about."

Shang Tsung frowned at the loss of his experiment but didn't argue against Rain's actions. “Bring that with us,” he gestured toward the red book on the desk. “It contains all my notes on Vaternians.”

Kenshi grabbed the book and stuffed it in his bag. As they made their way through the underground tunnel once more, Mileena couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see the creatures lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on them at any moment. Tanya moved closer to her, silently offering comfort and support.

“Are you alright, Empress?” She asked softly.

Mileena forced a small nod, trying to hide her unease. "I'm fine, Tanya. Just...thinking about Kitana, you know?"

"Of course, I understand," Tanya replied softly, her hand squeezing Mileena's shoulder reassuringly. "We'll get her back, and we'll find a way to help her."

Mileena felt a slight blush spread across her cheeks. "Thank you, Tanya. I just hope we're not too late..." Her voice trailed off as they continued to walk through the dimly lit tunnel. The air was thick with the smell of mold and rot, making it difficult to breathe at times. The sounds of dripping water and distant screams echoed through the stone walls, further adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Kung Lao felt lightheaded again, leaning on the wall for support as he struggled to take in a breath. He coughed violently, clutching his stomach in pain.

"Kung Lao, are you alright?" Mileena asked, hurrying over to him.

The monk waved her off, struggling to catch his breath. "Just...a little dizzy. It'll pass..." He coughed again, wincing in pain. “Although I am starving, gotta get something to eat when we get back.” He forced a small laugh, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

The light from the end of the tunnel came into view, the palace wasn’t far from the Living Forest, which meant they were close. Shang Tsung led the group, his steps swift and confident, despite his bound wrists and Li Mei having a death grip on his upper arm. His demeanor only served to unnerve them all more.

As they emerged from the tunnel, the group was greeted by the sight of the palace looming before them, its majestic towers and ornate walls basked in the morning sunlight. The air was crisp and clean, a welcome change from the foul stench of the underground lair. The sounds of birdsong filled the air, and the scent of spring was in the air. It felt peaceful for once, then the sounds of Vaternians filled the sky and the feelings of dread settled back upon everyone once more.

As they walked through the forest, Kung Lao’s knees gave out and he collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. Rain kneeled, examining the monk with concern. "Are you all right, Kung Lao?"

"I'm...not feeling so good," he wheezed. "My head is spinning, and my stomach hurts."

Rain’s expression softened as he put a comforting hand on Kung Lao's lower back. "It's alright, I can carry you for a while if you need to…rest…” his voice trailed off as he noticed a tear in Kung Lao’s armor, he poked at it gently, before noticing the teeth marks and blood stains on his skin. He narrowed his eyes at Kung Lao. “You’re bitten?” He exclaimed, his tone sharp with alarm, earning the attention of everyone.

Kung Lao tried to hide the wounds with his hands, but it was too late. "It's nothing," he croaked, wincing in pain. "It happened back at the swamp…I- I didn’t think anything of it.”

Shao stepped forward. “You didn’t think to tell us?!” He growled, his face reddening with anger.

"I'm sorry," Kung Lao stammered, his voice barely audible. "I didn't want to worry you." He coughed again, spitting up blood.

Liu Kang felt a stab in his heart, he closed his eyes, not wanting to expect that another one of his champions were infected.

Rain paced, anger simmering inside him. “You could have killed me and Reiko! I wouldn’t have been able to get back to my mother!” His voice cracked at the lost part, the pain of not knowing her status still fresh.

Kung Lao looked up at Rain, shame and fear etched into his features. "I'm sorry Rain,” he weakly replied. “I’m just really…really…hungry.”

Before Rain could process his words, Kung Lao lunged at him with newly formed fangs and blood-filled eyes. Rain tried to react but was caught off guard and managed to only raise his arm in defense. The monk's teeth sank into his armor, missing his skin by an inch. The others sprang into action, tackling Kung Lao to the ground and pinning him down. Li Mei growled, her hands tightening around Shang Tsung's arm as she felt him trying to slip away.

Kung Lao let out a feral growl as tried to claw at his attackers, his movements wild and uncontrolled. In the blink of an eye, he was no longer there, just an infected beast.

Rain scrambled backward as Kung Lao continued to thrash about, trying to reach them. They all watched in horror as the monk's once gentle features were now twisted into a hideous snarl. His limbs thrashed wildly, his hands clawing at the dirt as if he were trying to dig his way back into the earth. A low, guttural growl rumbled from his chest, sending chills down their spines.

Tanya held Mileena close, trying to keep her a safe distance from the khaos. They could hear the sickening crunch of Kung Lao's bones as he thrashed about on the ground, his cries of agony filling the air.

With all his adrenaline, Kung Lao managed to free himself and stand up with loud inhales of breath. The group backed up, watching as Kung Lao’s lips formed a twisted smile, giggling as he clawed at his own chest. “You will die!” He cried in an inhuman voice. “Like the others before you,” he took in a deep breath before continuing. “One by one, we will take you!”

As he attempted to advance on them, an invisible force choked him from behind, his arms flailing about wildly before falling limply to his sides, he closed his eyes and fell to the ground, unconscious.

The group stared in shock at the sight before them as a green slime-like haze appeared and Syzoth came out of hiding, his yellow eyes glancing around. "That...was unfortunate," he said softly, his voice filled with regret. "He...was a good fighter. It seems you're all still alive, that's so good to see.

Mileena felt a wave of relief as she hugged the Zaterran. “Syzoth…!” She whispered, tears of joy streaming down her face. She couldn't believe it. He was here. Still alive. Still fighting.

Rain nodded in gratitude, his voice still shaky. "Thank you, Syzoth. You saved our lives." He looked down at the motionless form of Kung Lao, his expression filled with sorrow and guilt.

Syzoth gently smiled. “It is no problem, I am glad to see you all still alive, I-“ he paused as noticed the familiar, pure evil face of Shang Tsung, smirking back at him.

The air around them shifted as Syzoth's anger boiled over. His once calm and collected demeanor vanished, replaced by a murderous rage. His yellow eyes narrowed, fixing on Shang Tsung. "You!" he spat, lurching forward. The others tried to hold him back, but it was no use. His strength, fueled by pure hatred, was overwhelming. With a savage growl, he broke free from their grasp and delivered a sickening punch to the man who took everything from him.

Shang Tsung let out a pained grunt as he staggered backward, the cuffs preventing him from touching his bruised eye. However, he let out a small hum as he smiled back. “Ah, Syzoth,” he sighed. “It’s nice to see you as well.”

Before he could attack again, Syzoth was held back by Johnny and Kenshi. He grunted as he clawed to get free. “What the hell is he doing here?!” He hissed, glaring at the still-grinning Shang Tsung. “I’ll fucking kill you, you bastard! You had no right to take them from me, no right to make me suffer like that!” Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled against the others, who were trying their best to keep him from going after Shang Tsung. He wanted nothing more than to rip him apart.

Shang Tsung merely watched him with an unreadable expression, his gaze cold and calculating. He didn't seem to be worried about the threat Syzoth posed. “Unfortunately, my assistance is required of your allies,” he spoke. “Perhaps I can entertain your pathetic attempts at revenge after a cure is made~”

Syzoth growled, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest every time he looked at Shang Tsung. His rage was a living thing inside him, consuming everything else.

Liu Kang stepped forward. “I understand your pain Syzoth, but right now we need Shang Tsung’s help with the invasion.” He explained calmly.

Syzoth's rage-filled gaze flickered to Liu Kang. “He murdered my son!” He shouted. “A goddamn two-year-old! He can rot in whatever hell comes from this, I don't care if we all die because of it! I won't let him win like that! I won't- I can't-" Tears streamed down his face as he struggled against the others once more, his words choked with sobs.

Johnny rubbed soothing circles on Syzoth's back, trying to calm him down. "I know it's hard, Syzoth, but we need him right now. Trust me, you can murder him later but by all means.”

Shang Tsung let out a small, annoyed scoff. "What a charming offer, Cage. I'm sure he’ll keep that in mind." He turned his gaze back to Syzoth. "But for now, perhaps you can channel this anger into something more productive. Such as helping up get back to the palace unharmed.”

Syzoth’s hands balled into fists at his sides, the tendons standing out against his skin. He wanted nothing more than to kill Shang Tsung with his bare hands, but he knew that wouldn't help anyone. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Fine," he grumbled, his voice strained. "But if he tries anything funny, I swear I'll-"

“You’ll make me regret it,” Shang Tsung interrupted, unimpressed. “Yes yes, I’ve heard those same words before, let’s get a move on shall we? I do not appreciate being cuffed like some sort of prisoner.”

Rain glanced over at Kung Lao’s unconscious body, pale as a ghost with visible blood trails from his eyes. “Li Mei, do you have any more of those cuffs?” He asked.

Li Mei nodded, unholstering two pairs from her belt. She tossed them over to Rain who cautiously bound Kung Lao’s wrists and ankles, hogtying him. He glanced at Shao, who reluctantly picked Kung Lao and carried him over his shoulder.

 Syzoth took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. His hands still balled into fists at his sides, knuckles white from the effort not to lash out. He knew he had to focus on the task at hand if they were going to have any chance of stopping the invasion. He glared at Shang Tsung as he walked past, but refrained from making any further threats.

They walked back to the palace in silence, looking up at the sky to watch for any more Vaternians. This was a nightmare, with unfortunately, no end in sight.

Chapter Text

 “What…in…the actual fuc-“

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Reiko explained, covered in blood and next to the bloody table where Raiden’s severed arm twitched.

Mileena placed her hands over her mouth. The others were just as shocked, some stumbling back, others frozen in place. "By the gods," She stammered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "I-Is he alive?"

Reiko nodded grimly, wiping the blood from his lips. "Yeah, barely,” he answered, his voice strained, wiping the blood up with a towel that was now soaked beyond recognition. "I managed to get the bleeding under control.”

Johnny’s face twisted in disgust. “Jeez, I was only joking about cutting the infection off…” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Yeah, well at least he won’t turn…hopefully,” Reiko grunted, putting some elbow grease into cleaning up the mess.

Shao gave Reiko a look of slight pride as he opened the door to a cell and tossed Kung Lao on the floor, still hogtied, and unconscious. "Well, that's two down now.” He whispered, glancing at Kitana in the cell next to him. 

Shang Tsung let out an amused laugh as Li Mei sat him on a chair and cuffed his hands to the armrests. "Oh, you do not need to go through all this trouble," he cooed, waving his hand dismissively. "I am not going anywhere.” He raised an eyebrow at Reiko. “You really amputated the Earthrealmer’s arm?”

Reiko glanced at Raiden, still sleeping in bed. "He was going to turn into one of them. I had to do something," he answered, not meeting the sorcerer's gaze.

Rain chuckled darkly. "And here I thought you were just jealous of his fighting skills."

Reiko scoffed. "If I were jealous, I'd have taken his other arm too."

Liu Kang gave the Outworlders a disapproving look, his arms folded across his chest. "It is time we should be focusing on a cure,” he said firmly. "Kenshi, bring me the book in your bag.”

Kenshi nodded, opening the bag and handing the worn leather-bound book to Liu Kang. The fire God took it and sat down on a stool, opening the book to a random page. There were countless notes and illustrations of Vaternian anatomy, mythology, and symbolism scrawled across the yellowing parchment.

Shang Tsung hummed in amusement, his eyes flicking over the drawings. "You know," he began casually, "I could be of great help in this situation. If I was not restrained to this chair, that is."

Syzoth narrowed his eyes as his leg bounced up and down, trying to suppress the burning urge to wrap his cold-blooded hands around the sorcerer’s throat, to silence the mocking voice. But he couldn't move, couldn't speak. The anger coursing through him was palpable, like a living thing writhing beneath his skin.

As they all huddled around the god, Raiden stirred in his sleep, slowly blinking his eyes open. He looked around, confused for a moment, before glancing down, his eyes widening. He had completely forgotten that his arm was gone, now a bloody, bandaged-up stump. Tears welled in his eyes as he struggled to sit up, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Johnny noticed him and hurried over, gently helping Raiden to sit up. "Hey, man, you alright?” He asked softly.

Shang Tsung chuckled. "Oh, how touching. It's almost as if you care."

Syzoth snapped and grabbed the nearest object, being a can of water, and chucked it at Shang Tsung. It missed and smashed against the wall, sending water splashing the room and soaking Shang Tsung’s hair and face. "Shut the fuck up.” He growled.

Shang Tsung's eyes widened in surprise, and he sputtered as he wiped the water from his face. "Oh, you're going to have to speak a little more politely to me if you want to get your point across," he drawled.

Raiden winced as he pulled himself up, his arm wrapped around Johnny’s shoulders for support. "I'm fine," he croaked. "Just... give me a minute."

Shang Tsung laughed. "Of course you are, Raiden. After all, you stopped the infection from spreading did you not?” He mocked.

Raiden gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fist. "Shut up," he growled. “I’m not the one-“ he paused and covered his mouth in shock as he noticed Kung Lao’s infected body in the cell. He ran over and kneeled, not making the same mistake of putting his hand near him. “Oh Gods, Kung Lao…” he whispered, his eyes filling with tears. The monk’s face was pale and bloody tears ran down his cheeks. “What happened?”

Johnny sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder. “He got bit,” he answered, his voice strained. “I’m sorry Raiden.”

Raiden felt his heart wrench as he looked at Kung Lao's battered, infected body. Tears slipped down his face as he took in the sight of his best friend in such a state. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No, this can't be happening. There has to be something we can do." He turned to the others, his eyes wild with desperation. "Is there anything? Is there a cure? Something?”

Tanya offered some water to Raiden, gesturing for him to rest. “You should lay down, Raiden.” She suggested, gently.

Raiden shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "No, I can't... Not when Kung Lao..."

Liu Kang continued to analyze the book, his eyes darting back and forth across the pages. "There are several passages that discuss the nature of the infection," he revealed slowly. "It seems that once someone has been bitten, their body is overcome by a foreign virus that alters their DNA, allowing the infection to spread. The virus also makes them incredibly aggressive and cannibalistic.”

Shao rolled his eyes. “We already know of that,” he huffed. “What we need to know is if there's any way to cure the infection or stop it from spreading. I doubt there's a passage in this book that talks about that."

"Perhaps not," Liu Kang replied, flipping through the pages until a particular note caught his attention. The sketch of an infected was drawn, and beside it, a scribbled note that seemed to outline the possible causes and symptoms. Dizziness, fatigue, coughing, all that happens after you’ve been bitten by an infected or Vaternian. He traced his finger along the ink lines, searching for further information. However…a heavy underlined note near the bottom caught his eye. 

‘Infected seem to not be contagious and cannot transfer the virus like Vaternains can.’

Liu Kang's eyes widened in surprise as he read the words. He looked up, meeting the other’s gazes. "It says here that the infected can't spread the infection to others. It's only the Vaternains who can do that. That means..." He paused, looking at Raiden. “You weren’t infected…”

Raiden's heart skipped a beat as he listened to Liu Kang's words. He glanced at his missing arm, then back at the God, confusion beginning to flicker in his eyes. "Wait…? But I was getting sick…I was bitten..." his breath began to grow shaky.

Shang Tsung, no longer wanting to hold his tongue, spoke up amused. “When I was experimenting on the creature, I brought in a few test subjects, they got infected from the bite but they couldn’t infect other people, only give them flu-like symptoms that weaken their immune system. It seems that the ‘infected’ are just mindless followers.” He let out a chuckle at the look of shock on everyone’s faces.

Reiko felt a chill run down his spine at the realization that he had chopped off Raiden's arm to save him from something that wasn't the problem. He looked at the General, hoping for some reassurance, but saw only the same confusion that clouded everyone else. 

Raiden’s shock turned into anger as he glared at Reiko. "You mean to tell me you cut my arm off for nothing?!” He yelled, getting in the Lieutenant’s face, his voice shaking with rage. 

Reiko pushed him out of his personal space. “How the fuck was I supposed to know?!” He replied, his voice trembling with anger. He wiped a hand across his face, trying to calm down. The others were looking at Raiden, clearly not sure what to say. Even Shao seemed unsure of himself for once.

Rain stepped in between them. “Raiden calm down, he didn’t know,” he interjected. Reiko looked at him, grateful for the support, even though it was half-hearted. Raiden glared at Rain, his anger still simmering beneath the surface.

Liu Kang cleared his throat, trying to bring the group's focus back to the matter at hand. "So, the infected are not contagious and only serve to feed on people. Which makes Vaternians our main focus once again.” He clarified out loud. He turned back to Shang Tsung, his eyes narrowing. “However, they still need to be cured.”

Shang Tsung shifted in the chair. “Yes well, as you know, I have done a great deal of research on the virus and I can get a cure complete,” he paused, looking between them. There was a hint of challenge in his voice. "But it will take some time, and I would need the proper resources to do so.”

Liu Kang's brow furrowed. "How much time?"

Shang Tsung shrugged. "A few days, weeks? But I'd need complete access to my notes and resources. I can't just create a cure out of thin air."

Syzoth looked at Shang Tsung with rage-filled eyes, "You would have us wait while you fiddle about? You’re lucky I didn't kill you when I found you." He growled.

Shang Tsung’s lips formed a smirk. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love to kill me,” he purred. “I know I enjoyed skinning your wife and son.”

Syzoth's eyes flared with murderous intent as he lunged at Shang Tsung, his arms shifting into his natural form as claws extended from his fingers. The others in the room moved to intervene, trying to keep him at bay.

“Get off me!” He snarled, struggling against the ones holding him back. Bloodlust filling his reptilian vision, he focused on nothing but ripping Shang Tsung apart. His heart raced, his muscles tense and ready to strike.

Reiko, Rain, and Kenshi finally managed to restrain Syzoth, holding him back as he thrashed and snarled in fury. His tail lashed out wildly, nearly knocking over a nearby table. Shang Tsung rolled his eyes in boredom. “If you kill me, you won’t be able to save your princess.” He gestured to Kitana, who had been in the corner of her cell, looking to have tired herself out, and fell into a deep sleep.

Mileena looked over her shoulder at her sister, her eyes watering with unshed tears. She had to trust the sorcerer if it meant her sister would be cured. The sight of seeing her in agony, the haunting laughter she let out from time to time, it all tore at Mileena's heart. She knew the others were all in pain as well, but Kitana... she was her sister, their princess. The thought of losing her was unbearable. She turned to her royal emissary. “Syzoth, enough.” She ordered.

The Zaterran‘s head snapped in her direction, his yellow eyes narrowing. He slowly relaxed his muscles, his claws shifting back into their human form. Slowly, Reiko, Rain, and Kenshi released their holds on him.

Shang Tsung sighed, unperturbed by the outburst. "As I was saying," he continued smoothly, "I require complete access to my notes and resources in order to create a cure. I am confident that I can find one, but it will take time."

Syzoth clenched his fists at his sides, still seething with anger. He looked at Mileena, their eyes meeting for a moment before he turned away. He knew she was right; they had no choice but to trust the sorcerer if they wanted Kitana, and Kung Lao, to be saved. He huffed as he turned down a hallway. “I need to walk away.” He muttered.

Raiden let out a shaky breath, as he retreated into a cell. “Yeah, I think need to take a break as well.” He added, sitting down on the bed. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment. The weight of everything that had happened felt like it was crushing him. He looked down at where his arm used to be, the stump throbbing painfully but it didn’t hurt nearly as bad then the fact that they didn’t need to cut it off.

Kenshi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This is a lot to take in, that's for sure." He muttered. "I never expected things to turn out like this."

Johnny hugged Kenshi from behind, resting his head on his shoulder. “Yeah no kidding,” he replied. “But we’ll be alright.”

Kitana let out a soft groan, shifting in her sleep. Her chest rose and fell with each labored breath. Mileena glanced at her, worry etched onto her features. Reiko and Rain exchanged a worried look as well. Reiko could see Rain tapping his foot and his hands fidgeting. He placed a hand on his shoulder, making him jump. “What’s wrong?” He asked, his voice lacking its usual roughness.

Rain looked at Reiko, his eyes pleading. He hated feeling helpless, and right now he felt exactly that. “I can’t stay down here any longer,” he admitted. “I need to find my mother.”

Reiko nodded, understanding his pain all too well. "You’re not thinking of going alone are you?” He questioned.

Rain shrugged as he twirled a loose strand of his hair around his finger. "I wasn't planning on it. She’s my mother I’m going to find her and make sure she’s safe.”

Reiko frowned, not liking the sound of that. "You shouldn't go alone," he insisted. "It's too dangerous." He thought for a moment before standing up, taking Rain’s hand, and leading him over to a separate cell where he moved a few bags of supplies when he was down here by himself. He handed a messenger bag to the mage. “I’ll go with you.”

Rain looked up at Reiko, his expression softening. "Reiko, you don’t have to do that- Hmph!” He was cut off by a rough kiss, and then Reiko pressed their bodies together. He blushed deeply, before relaxing against the soldier’s body. He didn’t expect him to return his feelings, but he wasn’t about to complain.

Reiko smiled against Rain's lips. "I'm not asking," He murmured, kissing him again. "I'm telling you." He paused for a moment, his gaze meeting Rain's. "We'll find your mother, and we'll get out of this. Together.”

Rain smiled up at Reiko, feeling a surge of relief. "Thank you," he whispered. “But what about the General? You think he’ll let you leave?”

Reiko looked over Rain’s shoulder at Shao, he was torn between his loyalty towards him and his desire to help Rain. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don't know," he admitted, "But I'll try. Just, pack some stuff and I’ll let you know, ok?”

Rain nodded, his fingers tightening around Reiko's. "Okay," he whispered, his voice shaking. He hurriedly began to gather a few supplies, throwing them into the bag, not really sure what he was taking or if he'd even need it. But it made him feel better, made him feel like he was doing something.

Reiko watched as Shao walked back and forth in another room, muttering to himself and pacing. He couldn't quite make out what he was saying, but he brushed it off. He stood up straight, steeling himself before walking in. Shao noticed him and raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his gaze.

Reiko cleared his throat. “May I have permission to speak?” He asked, his voice calm and respectful.

Shao glanced at him, then waved a hand dismissively. "Go ahead."

Reiko hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I understand that my loyalty to you is unwavering, but there is something I need to do. Me and Rain have grown closer, and..." He trailed off, not wanting to voice his true feelings. "I need to help him find his mother. I think it's the right thing to do."

Shao raised an eyebrow, watching the younger man carefully. "You're asking for my permission to leave the group?" He questioned, his voice even. "Why should I let you go?"

Reiko swallowed hard. "I understand if you don't want to let me leave, but I believe that it’s within Rain and I’s best interest if I went with him.”

Shao considered this for a moment, looking over Reiko with a thoughtful expression. "You two have grown close, haven't you?" He asked, more of a statement than a question. “…it’s disappointing, letting your feelings get in the way of your work.”

Reiko narrowed his eyes at Shao. "My feelings don't control my actions. I would help Rain even if I didn't feel the way I did. But," he hesitated, "it would be easier if we were together." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I've served you faithfully for years, General. I've been at your side through countless battles. I don't want to leave, but I can't abandon Rain now."

Shao stopped pacing and crossed his arms. “You two were at each other’s throats at the swamp, and now you're acting like you're in love?”

Reiko sighed. "It's complicated, sir. I didn't expect it either. But it's what happened."

“Well it’s not going to interfere with our priorities at hand, you’re not going, is that understood?”

Reiko felt his anger rising, he always followed Shan’s orders, but this time it was different. This time it was about a friend he had known since childhood, who had now become something more, something deeper. He couldn't abandon Rain in his time of need. It wasn’t right, this time, Shao was not right. He clenched his fists, defiance burning in his chest. “No.” He replied.

Shao's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Reiko. “Excuse me?” He spat, taking a step closer to the young man. Reiko didn't flinch, meeting his gaze unwaveringly.

"I said no, sir," Reiko repeated firmly. “I'm going with Rain. I've thought this through and I won't change my mind." He glanced at the other members of the group, watching as they continued their work, unaware of the tension building between them.

Shao took a deep breath, his calm demeanor being unsettling. “Am I to see this as insubordination?” He asked, his voice cold. Reiko didn't flinch.

“See it as you wish, sir. But I won't change my mind. I'm going with Rain, and I won't let anything or anyone stand in our way. Not even you." Reiko's voice was firm, unyielding. He looked Shao straight in the eye, refusing to be intimidated by the general's glare. He let out a sigh. “I will return to you, I swear on my life.”

Shao's expression twisted into a grimace. He clenched his fists at his sides, the muscles in his arms taut. For a moment, Reiko thought the general might strike him. But then, Shao's features relaxed, and he let out a defeated breath. 

"Very well," he said, his voice cold. "Do what you want, you obviously care for that mage than you do your superior."

Reiko felt a stab of pain at the words, but he refused to let it show on his face. He shook his hand and began to walk out. "You'll miss me when I'm gone, Shao."

He didn't wait for a response as he went back to Rain. He cursed himself for the bridge he had just burned. "You damn fool," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. After everything they had been through together, he was indeed throwing it away for some boy. Whatever, he'll be back for the General, he would never leave him.

He grabbed a bag and threw it over his shoulder, grabbing Rain's hand. "Come on, let's go." He hissed.

Rain tilted his head as he was led through the dungeon. "What did Shao say?" He inquired.

Reiko squeezed his hand tighter. "Just go." He said through gritted teeth. Rain nodded, not wanting to push the issue any further. They continued on in silence, the tension between them thick as fog. Rain looked at Mileena, not giving time to explain as he was dragged up the steps.

They reached the top of the stairs, pushing open the doors to the palace hall. The stench of death and decay filled their nostrils as they stepped out. Reiko noticed the bodies of his soldiers, torn apart and left to rot. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "Shit," he cursed. "We have to hurry."

“Shit,” he cursed. “We have to hurry.”

Rain scoffed. “No one’s thinks that more than I do.” 

Chapter Text

The smell of herbs and other natural remedies filled the air, the sounds of scribbling and flipping through pages could be heard as Shang Tsung sat at a makeshift work bench in a cell. His hair was tied up in a messy bun, his robes stained with various potions and other alchemical concoctions.

Bags hung below his eyes from exhaustion as he mixed lavender and an unknown oil in a bowl, experimenting with the cure for the infection. It had been a little over two days and the progress was slow. He'd been up most of the night, working on different potions and poultices, and now he was beginning to doubt that he'd be able to find something that would work before they all died. He paused in his work for a moment, rubbing his aching forehead.

Suddenly, the cell door creaked open and Liu Kang stepped inside. "Any progress?” He asked, his voice hoarse from exhaustion.

Shang Tsung sighed, rubbing his eyes before standing. "Progress is slow." He motioned to the bowl of lavender oil and the unknown oil mixture. "I’m working on a few test runs.”

Liu Kang nodded, his expression grave. "That's better than nothing. We'll have to make do until you find something," He glanced around the cell, taking in the various vials and ingredients scattered about. "I hope everything we brought you from your laboratory was worth it.”

Shang Tsung shrugged while writing in his notebook. “Seeing as your champions nearly died while going back and forth for it all, I'd say it was worth it."

Liu Kang nodded, his expression grim. “I'll go check on the others…Let me know if you need anything." With that, he turned and left the cell, leaving Shang Tsung alone with his experiments once more.

He walked back over to the group, turning to Mileena. “How is everyone?” He asked, now more softer.

Mileena let out a sigh. "As good as can be expected, I suppose. Syzoth is still…angry and rightfully so, I suppose. Kung Lao is...he's just lying there. He’s no longer unconscious, but he did break out of the restraints." She paused, swallowing hard. "Kitana’s not doing good. She's coughing up blood, and her skin's...her skin's starting to look...I don't know how to describe it, and she’s starting to crawl on the walls again.”

Liu Kang nodded solemnly, taking in Mileena's words. “I understand. Just let me know if there's anything you need from me. I'll stay close by in case something happens." He glanced over at Shang Tsung, still working away in his cell, before returning his attention to the group.

Johnny and Kenshi helped unload a few bags with Li Mei, counting the amount of food and medicine inside. The numbers weren’t pleasing as they had hoped. There was barely enough to last a few more days.

Mileena took a moment to rest her eyes, leaning against the cell wall. She listened to the soft murmur of voices around her, the sounds of coughing and wheezing intermingling with the rustling of cloth and the scraping of wood on stone. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and illness, but it wasn't enough to mask the faint hint of lavender and an unfamiliar herb that wafted in from Shang Tsung's cell.

"Mileena," Tanya said gently, sitting down next to her. "How are you holding up?"

Mileena took a deep breath, forcing a weak smile. "I'm...I'm doing as well as I can. It's just...it's hard to see them like this, you know? I feel so helpless. I’m the Empress, and yet I can't even save my own subjects."

Tanya reached out, taking Mileena's hand in hers. "You're not alone in feeling that way, Mileena. We're all going through this together, and we'll get through it together too. Just keep your head up and keep fighting."

The Empress nodded, sniffling a little as she wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I just..." She trailed off, her voice cracking.

Tanya wrapped her arms around Mileena, holding her close. “Shhh, it's alright. I’m here for you.” She reassured.

"Thank you," Mileena whispered, leaning into the embrace while blushing.

Li Mei finished writing down the numbers of the remaining supplies, and looked at the group with a concerned expression. "We need to conserve what we have left, as much as possible. We can't afford to waste anything." She suggested. “We also need to make a trip to the surface.”

Mileena nodded, wiping her nose on the back of her sleeve. "Yes, we should. We can't keep everyone down here much longer. The air's getting stale, and it's only making us sicker."

"Agreed," Li Mei said, looking at Johnny and Kenshi. "Why don't you two go with Mileena and Tanya to the surface?”

Johnny shrugged, standing up. "Right, I'll get some stuff ready."

As they prepared their supplies for the journey to the surface, the tension in the cell grew palpable. The clanking of weapons and the rustling of packs filled the air, punctuated by the occasional cough or groan. Kenshi grabbed some water and looked down the hall where Syzoth had isolated himself in a fit of anger. "I’ll be right back.” He announced.

Johnny nodded, continuing to pack. “Just don’t piss him off more than he already is.”

Kenshi approached the room where Syzoth was, knocking gently. “Syzoth, it’s Kenshi.” He called out, his voice echoing in the quiet corridor.

There was a moment of silence before the door slowly creaked open, revealing the Zaterran’s tear-streaked face. Syzoth's eyes were red-rimmed, his expression a mix of anger and despair. He stepped aside to let Kenshi in, his shoulders slumped in defeat. The room was dimly lit by a single candle, flickering shadows dancing across the walls.

Kenshi stepped inside, setting the water down on a small table. "Brought you some water," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the room. It was clear that Syzoth had been in a state of rage, the furniture overturned and the wall etched with claw marks.

Syzoth took the water with a nod, his grip tight around the can. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice low and gravelly.

Kenshi studied him, noticing the tremble in his hand. "You okay?" He asked cautiously.

Syzoth took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with anger. “I am in the same place as the man who killed my wife and baby," he spat out, his grip on the canister of water tightening. "How do you expect me to be?”

Kenshi stepped closer, placing a firm but gentle hand on Syzoth's shoulder. "I can only imagine how you feel.”

Syzoth's eyes met Kenshi and for a brief moment, the anger dissipated, replaced by a deep sadness. "I want to rip him apart," he said, his voice shaking. "But I know that won't bring them back."

"I know," Kenshi said solemnly. "But we need to stay focused on getting a cure and saving the realm.”

Syzoth nodded, his shoulders slumping further. "I know you're right. But it's hard." He took a swig of water, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat.

Mileena, Tanya, and Johnny approached, their footsteps echoing down the hallway. "We're ready to go," Mileena announced, her voice filled with determination. “Would you like to come Syzoth?”

Syzoth took another deep breath, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I need to get out of here for a bit." He turned to Kenshi. "Thank you."

As the five of them walked to the stairwell, Liu Kang approached with a serious look on his face. "Johnny, Kenshi…” he began with a somber tone. “Please, be careful, I can’t bear seeing another one of my champions suffer.”

Johnny smiled reassuringly at Liu Kang. "Don't worry, Lord Liu Kang. We'll be careful. We'll make sure to get everything we need and bring it back quickly."

Together, they made their way up the long, winding staircase. The smell of rot and decay filled the air as they stepped out into the palace halls that harbored the festering corpses of Umgadi and Outworld Soldiers, the tall windows were still covered with cloth that was filled with claw marks and blood, the remains of an unsuccessful attempt to stop the Vaternians from entering the palace walls.

They moved swiftly through the halls, avoiding the bodies as best they could, until they reached the grand entrance that led to the courtyard. The once beautiful garden was now a barren wasteland, the lush greenery replaced with a sea of mud and blood, the fountains still running with a dark red liquid that stained the marble, the sky was still a sunless, cloudy, void that seemed to be grower darker and thicker every day.

The group moved through the courtyard, careful not to step on any of the debris or corpses that littered the ground, until they reached the main gates. The gates were rusted shut, and the hinges creaked ominously as they tried to open them. After some effort, they managed to pry the gates apart, revealing the desolate land beyond.

The inhuman screeching from above pierced the air, making the group flinch and cover their ears. They looked up to see a squadron of Vaternian circling overhead, their leathery wings flapping lazily as they glided through the air. Their red eyes fixed on the group below, and they let out another ear-splitting scream before diving toward them.

Mileena cursed and drew her sais, taking a defensive stance beside Tanya who was already readying her three-sectioned staff. Kenshi unsheathed Sento and prepared to defend himself as best he could while Syzoth transformed into his natural reptile form, and Johnny got out a katana of his own that Kenshi had given him.

The Vaternians descended, their claws extended and ready to tear into flesh. The first creature was met with a swift strike from Mileena's sais, which embedded itself into its eye. The creature screeched in pain before dropping to the ground, writhing. Kenshi took down another with a precise strike to its throat, and Syzoth managed to catch one mid-flight with his tail, flinging it into a wall with a sickening crunch.

Tanya's staff spun through the air, connecting with a third Vatenian's wing, sending it spiraling into the ground. The creature howled in pain, but it didn't stop the remaining two from charging at them. One swooped low, aiming for Mileena, but she was quick on her feet, rolling out of the way just in time. The creature's talons scraped the ground where she'd been standing, throwing up clumps of dirt and dead leaves.

Johnny stepped forward, his grip on the katana steady, and took a swing at the creature. The blade sliced through the air with a satisfying 'whoosh' and made contact with the creature's side, drawing a line of dark blood. The creature squawked in anger, turning its attention to the new threat. Johnny stepped back, bracing himself for the creature's counterattack.

But before the beast could advance, a rope whipped through the air, wrapping around its neck. It was pulled back with a jerk, and it took a moment for the group to realize who had thrown the spear with such precision.

The creature’s head was stomped on, its brain splattering onto the ground with a wet crunch, and the group looked up to see who had come to their aid. Kuai Liang wrapped the rope back around his forearm, his gaze cold and focused on the remaining Vatenian.

"Kuai Liang!" Mileena exclaimed, her voice filled with relief. "What are you doing here?"

He took a step forward, his eyes scanning the group. “The Shirai Ryu received your message. We came as soon as we could. I see you’re in dire need of aid." He nodded at the fallen Vatenian.

Johnny offered a grin, though it was strained. “Couldn’t have picked a better time to show up, Kuai Liang.”

The pyromancer nodded, his expression grim. “I see we have much to discuss.”

The group turned their heads to the side as they heard movement from the shadows. They readied their weapons once more, but the figures that emerged were not more Vaternians, but more members of the clan, all dressed in black in yellow armor.

“Brother, you found them?” Tomas called out, rushing over to join Kuai Liang. His grey hair fluttered in the breeze, and the lines on his face deepened with concern as he took in the state of the group.

Kuai Liang nodded, his gaze flicking to the sky as the last Vaternian flew off, no doubt to alert its kin of the presence of the humans. “Yes I have, where’s Harumi?” He asked.

Tomas gestured to the group of Shirai Ryu members who had emerged from the shadows. Harumi stepped forward, her long black hair tied back in a tight bun. With her, was a little boy with short messy hair, a worried expression etched on his face.

“Hanzo, are you okay?” Tomas asked, his eyes on the young boy.

Hanzo looked up. “Yes, Tomas. I’m fine,” he lied. The truth was, he was terrified. He’d never seen anything like the creatures that had attacked them. They were like the monsters from the nightmares he sometimes had.

Mileena stepped forward, her eyes scanning the newcomers. “Thank you for your help. We’re in desperate need of supplies and information on this infection that’s spreading through the realm.”

Kuai Liang's gaze softened slightly as he took in their weary faces and ragged clothing. “We've brought what we could," he revealed, gesturing to the supplies the Shirai Ryu had brought with them.

Thomas’s gaze flickered over to Syzoth and gave him a slight smile as he looked over his shoulder. “Syzoth? I think I have someone you might wanna see.” He called back.

Syzoth's eyes snapped up, hope sparkling in them for the first time in days. "Who is it?" He asked, his voice strained.

Tomas stepped aside, revealing a figure that had been obscured by the shadows. As the figure emerged, Syzoth's eyes widened in disbelief to reveal a woman holding a glowing Kris blade, her eyes blacked out, and wearing a white and gold outfit that had sleeves that hung loose around her arms.

Syzoth ran up and hugged her tightly. “Ashrah,” he exclaimed, his voice choking with emotion. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Ashrah's arms wrapped around him just as tightly, the warmth of her embrace bringing a tear to his eye. "I'm here," she murmured, her voice soothing and familiar. She pulled back to look at him, her eyes filled with concern. "I've heard about the infection. I managed to join the clan on their way here."

Mileena nodded at the newcomers, her eyes lingering on them. "Thank you for coming. We need all the help we can get."

Johnny looked at the supplies, then at the clan members. "What's the situation out there? Is it safe to move around?"

Kuai Liang shook his head. "It's chaotic out there," he answered, his voice tinged with concern. "The Vaternians are everywhere, and so are the infected.”

Mileena sighed. "We figured as much. We're going to need to move fast and stay hidden."

They all walked the path that led to Sun Do’s marketplace, a place that once bustled with activity and was now eerily silent. The stench of death and decay grew stronger with each step, and the absence of life was more unsettling than any creature they could have encountered. The buildings were abandoned, their windows shattered, and doors hanging off their hinges. The market stalls were toppled over, the once colorful fabrics and trinkets now stained with blood and muck.

Mileena looked around, her heart heavy with the weight of her responsibilities. "We need to get the supplies and get back to the dungeons, it’s the only safe place in the palace.”

Tomas tilted his head. “The palace is overrun?” He questioned.

“Not even the Umgadi or Shao’s army could hold them off.” Tanya added on, her voice filled with dread. “And so far, we’ve haven’t heard from anyone else outside of the palace walls.”

Syzoth nodded in agreement. “She’s right, when I left to find survivors, everyone was either already infected or they were just corpses with not a single drop of blood left in them.”

The group continued to move through the deserted marketplace, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement or danger. They knew that the Vatenians weren’t far, and the last thing they needed was to be caught off guard.

"Spread out, but stay in sight," Mileena instructed, her voice low and urgent. "We need to find what we can quickly."

The group split up, each taking a different aisle of the abandoned market. The once vibrant stalls now stood as silent sentinels of a lost world. The cobblestone path beneath their feet was slick with a film of something that made their stomachs turn. They moved with caution, their eyes scanning for any signs of life, or unlife, as the case may be.

Mileena and Tanya stuck together, their weapons at the ready. They approached a toppled spice cart, the once-fragrant contents now mixing with the stench of decay. As they began to sift through the broken jars and spilled herbs, they heard a faint sound coming from a nearby alley. They exchanged a tense look before Tanya moved in front of Mileena. “Stay behind me, Empress.”

They moved cautiously down the narrow alley, the shadows playing tricks on their eyes. The sound grew louder—a guttural moaning that sent shivers down their spines. Tanya gripped her staff tighter, her heart racing. As they turned the corner, the sight that greeted them was one of confusion.

Two large Vaternians were dragging the body of what appeared to be another…Vaternian? It was smaller than the other two, with less muscle and bulk, but its skin was paler and more translucent.

Mileena stepped back, gesturing for Tanya to be quiet. They watched as the larger creatures heaved the smaller one into a pile of other, similar looking bodies. “What are they doing?” Tanya whispered.

Mileena’s brows furrowed as she studied the scene. “It looks like they’re gathering them...almost like they’re disposing them for something,” she murmured.

Tanya’s eyes widened. “But why? And why are these ones different?”

Before Mileena could respond, they heard the screech of another Vaternian in the ally, another one of the smaller ones. The two larger ones turned and snarled, moving in on it. The creature shrieked in terror, trying to flee, but it was too slow. The others lunged, their teeth bared, and the sound of tearing flesh filled the air.

One of the larger Vaternians looked up from the feast, wiping the blood from its chin. “Collect the rest of the inferiors.” It hissed as it stretched its wings.

Mileena and Tanya remained hidden, watching as the smaller Vatenian’s limp body was tossed onto the pile. A chill ran down their spines as they took in the scene before them. The larger Vatenians were clearly the dominant ones, and the smaller, weaker ones were being executed. The implications were still unknown, but indeed grim.

Johnny and Kenshi emerged from another alley. They noticed the women’s tense expressions and immediately knew something was wrong. “What’s up?” Johnny whispered, his eyes darting around the area.

Mileena pointed to the pile of bodies. “Look, they’re slaughtering each other,” she whispered, her voice tight with tension. “We need to and report this.”

Johnny and Kenshi nodded. They slipped back into the shadows, retreating from the grisly scene. They met back up with the rest of the group, who had gathered what little they could find. The supplies were meager, but it was better than nothing.

"Everyone," Mileena said urgently. "We've seen something...strange."

Her words brought the group to attention. “What is it, Empress?” Syzoth asked.

Mileena took a deep breath. “The Vatenians are not only attacking us, they’re killing their own kind. Smaller, weaker ones. It’s like they’re...culling them.”

Ashrah’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not normal behavior, even for them.”

Kenshi frowned, sheathing Sento. “You’re right. I’ve been thinking ever since we’ve came to help that this seemed completely unordinary for a realm that claimed to be in a state of starvation.”

Johnny nodded in agreement. “It’s almost like they’re following orders, or some kind of twisted instinct.”

Kuai Liang stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. “This changes things. If they’re killing their own, then it’s not just about spreading the infection. There’s something more at play here.”

“We need to get back to the dungeons and tell Liu Kang,” Mileena said firmly. “This could be a clue to their weakness or their purpose. We can’t risk losing it.”

Tanya nodded. “I agree, but let’s get more supplies first. We can’t just leave everything behind, especially when we know how desperate we are."

They all split up again, moving swiftly through the marketplace. Mileena and Tanya took a path lined with abandoned weapons and armor stalls. The metal was cold to the touch, and the silence was broken only by the occasional clang of a weapon knocking against another as the wind picked up.

"Tanya, check those weapon stalls," Mileena whispered. "I'll look over here."

Tanya nodded, her eyes darting to the alley where they had seen the disturbing scene. "Be careful," she murmured before disappearing into the shadows.

Mileena took a deep breath, pushing aside the horror and focusing on the task at hand. She sprinted towards a row of stalls that had once been filled with food and supplies. Most of it was spoiled or looted, but she spotted a few untouched crates at the back of one stall. As she approached, she heard the unmistakable sound of claws on cobblestone.

Her heart racing, she ducked behind a toppled barrel. A group of Vatenians strutted by, their grotesque forms illuminated by the flickering torchlight. They were the smaller ones, the ones she had seen being hunted by their larger kin. They looked more like terrified prey than the fearsome predators she had encountered before.

Mileena watched as they disappeared around the corner, her mind racing. If these weaker Vatenians were being culled, it meant there was a hierarchy, a leader giving orders. And if they could find that leader, perhaps they could disrupt the entire operation.

Tanya continued her search, her eyes scanning over the weapons with a practiced gaze. The stench of the dead made her stomach churn, but she pushed through it, her focus solely on the task ahead. The clink of metal on metal echoed through the stall as she picked up a discarded blade, inspecting its sharpness before sliding it into her belt.

She picked up a few more useful items, some arrows that hadn’t been damaged and a short sword that had a fine, well-balanced weight to it. As she turned to leave, a familiar voice called out from further into the market. “Tanya!” Mileena called out.

Tanya spun back around and eyed the crates, determination setting in her features. "I'm coming, Mileena!" she called out, her voice tight with urgency. She dashed across the open space, the sound of her boots echoing through the abandoned marketplace.

“Tanya!” She called again, her voice seeming even father than before. Tanya eyed the stalls and roads, no sign of the Empress or the others. The only sounds were the distant squawks of the Vatenians and the occasional rustle of fabric in the breeze.

Her stomach dropped. Something was wrong. She bolted in the direction of Mileena’s voice, her heart hammering in her chest. “Mileena?” She called back, her eyes searching frantically.

“Tanya! Over here.” Mileena beckoned from the shadows, her voice distant.

Tanya's eyes searched the market, her instincts on high alert. The call had come from the left, so she sprinted towards the nearest building, her boots splashing in the murky water that had gathered in the cobblestone streets. The door to the building was ajar, and she could see the flicker of torchlight within.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she pushed the door open, the wood groaning in protest. Inside, the building was a labyrinth of shadows and cobwebs, the stale air thick with dust. "Mileena?" She called out again, her voice echoing off the stone walls.

The voice grew louder, leading her deeper into the abandoned structure. Her eyes darted around, searching for any signs of movement. The floorboards creaked beneath her feet, and she could hear the distant drip of water from some unknown source. The market outside seemed a world away, the only sound now the echo of her own breathing and the taunting calls of her name.

Tanya's hand tightened around the grip of her staff as she approached a door at the far end of the room, it was slightly ajar. "Mileena?" she called out once more, her voice bouncing off the cold stone walls.

“Tanya, in here,” Mileena said. “I need help.”

Her voice was strained, and Tanya could sense the urgency in her tone. She slowly walked over to the door, beginning to push it open only to be stopped from another voice calling her from behind. “Tanya?”

Tanya whipped around, her staff at the ready, only to find Mileena standing there. Not in the room where her voice had been coming from. Tanya’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the Empress, her face looking concerned.

“Are you alright, Tanya?” She asked, her eyes searching Tanya’s face.

Tanya blinked, her mind racing. “Your- your voice was-“

She was cut off by the sound of the door being busted open and a blood-covered Vaternian flew out, it’s face twisted in rage. It lunged at Tanya, its teeth bared as it grabbed her arm with its powerful claws. She screamed in terror as the beast dragged her into the darkness, it’s wings flapping wildly.

Mileena felt her heart twist as she saw red, her instincts kicking in as she watched Tanya being dragged away. Without a second thought, she dashed into the room, her sais drawn and ready to fight. She chased them into the room, the celling revealed to be broken, allowing the clouds to cast eerie shadows across the floor.

She sank her sai into the creatures back, and it let out a pained roar as it stumbled forward. The creature's grip loosened, and Tanya stumbled back into the light, panting and trembling. The Vatenian whipped around, snarling and swiping at Mileena with its claws. She danced back, her eyes narrowed in focus, and swung her other sai in a wide arc, aiming for its head.

The blade connected with a sickening crunch, and the creature's body went limp, collapsing to the floor with a thud. Mileena stepped back, panting, and helped Tanya to her feet. "Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes searching Tanya for any signs of injury.

Tanya nodded shakily, her eyes still wide with fear. "Thanks to you," she murmured, rubbing her bruised arm.

Mileena's gaze swept the room, ensuring no other threats lurked in the shadows. The space was once a storage area, now filled with the stench of rotting goods and the decay of forgotten battles. The only light was from the sky peeking through the broken ceiling, casting a silver glow on the chaotic scene.

They heard footsteps and the rest of the group rushed in. “What happened?” Kenshi demanded, his eyes taking in the scene with alarm. “We heard the commotion.”

Mileena nodded at the dead Vatenian. “It was trying to take Tanya,” she answered, her voice still a little shaky from the encounter.

Tanya took a deep breath. “It…it talked to me, or rather, it mimicked Mileena’s voice. It lured me in here.”

Johnny’s eyes widened. “Wait, now you’re telling me these things can mimic our voices?” He looked around the group, his gaze settling on Syzoth.

Syzoth looked back at him grimly. “They’re smarter than we thought. And they’re definitely not just mindless beasts.”

Kuai Liang looked around the room, his eyes scanning the shadows. “We need to be more careful. They could be anywhere, waiting for us to let our guard down.”

Harumi nodded in agreement. “Let’s grab what we can and get out of here before more of these things show up.”

They worked quickly, filling their packs with supplies and weapons. The tension in the air was thick, the knowledge that they were being hunted making their movements urgent and precise.

As they made their way back to the palace gates, they heard the distant sound of clashing steel and roars of pain, growing louder with each step. The Shirai Ryu members exchanged worried glances, their eyes on the horizon where the noise was coming from.

“Is everyone gonna be okay?” Hanzo asked, his voice trembling as he clung to Harumi’s leg.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure of that,” Mileena assured him, her eyes never leaving the horizon. The sounds grew closer, and she could feel the ground vibrate with the impact of each battle.

They arrived at the palace gates, which were now surrounded by a group of Vatenians, their wings flapping in agitation. The group took cover behind the ruins of a nearby building, their hearts racing.

"We need to find another way in," Tomas suggested, his eyes scanning the perimeter for an opening.

Mileena thought for a minute, her mind racing. "The tunnel system," she murmured. "It's risky, but it might be our best bet."

Tanya nodded. "I know the way. We can use the secret entrance from the old royal garden."

They moved swiftly through the shadows, the sound of battle growing fainter as they approached the overgrown garden. The once-beautiful space was now a tangle of weeds and thorns, a stark reminder of the decay that had overtaken the realm. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the clouds cast eerie shadows across the path.

Mileena led the way, her eyes searching the dense foliage for any signs of the secret entrance. Her heart pounded in her chest as she recalled the last time she had been here, before her fathers passing, when the gardens had been a place of peace and beauty. Now, they were a treacherous maze filled with unknown dangers.

Finally, she spotted it—a faint outline in the ivy-covered wall, almost obscured by the years of neglect. "Here," she whispered, pointing to the hidden entrance.

They pushed through the overgrowth, the ivy snagging at their clothes and the damp earth clinging to their boots. The tunnel was narrow and low, forcing them to crouch as they moved deeper into the palace's bowels. The air grew colder, and the smell of mold and decay grew stronger. They moved quickly, their eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through cracks in the ceiling.

The group's nerves were on edge, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the damp walls, making it sound like they were being pursued. They had to be careful not to attract the attention of the Vaternians that could be lurking anywhere.

Finally, the tunnel’s walls began to widen, and a soon they were in a bigger room that had even more tunnel openings, each one leading to a different part of the palace. They paused, trying to get their bearings and decide which way to go.

“This way, it’s the quickest route to the dungeons,” Mileena said, pointing to the rightmost tunnel.

They nodded in unison, and as one, they sprinted down the path. The walls were lined with torches, casting flickering shadows that danced around them as they moved. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the tunnels, mixing with the distant sounds of battle above.

“It’s like a maze down here.” Johnny commented, his eyes darting from one torchlit tunnel to the next.

“That’s because it is.” Tanya replied, her voice echoing in the cavernous space. “The tunnels were built to confuse and disorient invaders. But we know the way.”

As they walked, Syzoth turned to Tomas. “I see you brought the kid along.” He pointed out, glancing at Hanzo who was trying to keep up with the group.

Tomas nodded. “He wanted to help. And he’s proven himself to be more than capable in the short time we’ve had him.”

Syzoth raised an eyebrow. “I’m not questioning his abilities, but is he ready for what we might find?”

Tomas gave a firm nod. “We all have to grow up fast in times like these. He’s tougher than he looks.”

They continued their trek through the damp tunnels, the air thick with the scent of earth and mildew. The sound of their footsteps and panting breaths were the only things that filled the eerie silence.

Mileena’s eyes narrowed as she heard a faint scratching ahead. She raised a hand, signaling for everyone to stop. They all went quiet, listening intently. The scratching grew louder, and soon they could make out the distinct sound of nails on stone.

Johnny leaned in closer to Mileena. “What is that?”

Mileena’s grip tightened on her sais. “I’m not sure, but it’s definitely not good.”

The group tensed, their eyes fixed on the shadows ahead. The scratching grew closer, and with it, the stench of rot and decay. Suddenly, a pack of more Vaternians burst into the room, their eyes glowing with hunger.

"Fan out!" Mileena ordered, her voice low and commanding. They formed a semi-circle, weapons at the ready. The creatures skittered towards them, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

The first one lunged at Ashrah, who deftly sidestepped and sent her glowing Kris blade through its skull. It fell to the ground, twitching, before going still. The others followed in a frenzied rush, but the group was prepared. Swords clashed, sais whirled, and staff met flesh.

Eventually, the pack had been slaughtered, leaving the tunnel floor slick with their blackened blood. The air was filled with the acrid smell of their deaths. The group took a moment to catch their breath, their eyes darting around warily.

"Keep moving," Mileena urged, her voice tight. "We can't let them surround us."

“It…might be too late for that.” Johnny whispered, his eyes wide with horror as he stared at the celling that was covered with red glowing eyes.

The ceiling erupted with the sound of flapping wings and claws scraping against stone. Dozens of Vatenians descended upon them, their grotesque forms casting monstrous shadows on the walls.

Mileena's eyes widened as she took in the sheer number of them. “We’re outmatched.” She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Come on, let’s go!”

The group sprinted down the tunnel, the Vatenians hot on their heels. The sound of their flapping wings was deafening, and the air was thick with the scent of their putrid breath. They could feel the heat of their bodies closing in, their hearts racing with fear.

As they ran through the large chamber, one of the hanging torches was knocked loose by the flapping wings of the pursuing Vatenians. It crashed to the ground, sending sparks and embers flying everywhere. The dry, moss-covered stones of the walls caught fire instantly, and the flames began to spread rapidly.

The intense smoke made it difficult to see and breathe, and the heat was unbearable. They had to act fast, but with the Vaternians, time wasn’t on their side. Stone cracked and crumbled around them as the flames grew, the once-cool air now a suffocating inferno. The screams of some of the creatures burning alive were heard, adding to the chaos. As they ran through the smoke, a large pillar collapsed in front of them, blocking their path, but also splitting the group into two.

Mileena’s heart raced as she watched the others disappear into the smoke and flames. She didn’t have time to think as she was tackled by a Vatenian. Its teeth snapped at her, but she managed to get a sai in its throat, the creature's grip loosening as it fell back, gurgling and thrashing. She coughed, trying to get the smoke out of her lungs, and pushed herself to her feet. “Tanya?” She called out, her voice hoarse and barely audible over the chaos.

She ran through the debris covered with blood and soot, her eyes stinging from the smoke. She heard the muffled screams of her friends and the ferocious roars of the beasts. "Tanya! Johnny! Ashrah!" She called out, her voice lost in the cacophony of the burning tunnel.

The flames licked at her heels, the heat a living, breathing entity chasing her down. Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched for an escape, her eyes watering and making it difficult to see. The smoke grew denser, choking her, and she stumbled, coughing violently.

As she was about to give out, a hand grabbed her and pulled her into a separate tunnel not engulfed by flames. It was Johnny, his eyes watering and face blackened with soot. "I got you.” He whispered over the violent coughing.

Mileena took a deep breath, her chest tight with smoke. "Where are the others? Did you see Tanya?”

Johnny shook his head, his eyes darting around the dark tunnel. "No and I can’t find Kenshi either," he coughed. "We have to keep moving."

They stumbled through the tunnel, the air slightly cooler now. They could still hear the crackling of the fire and the distant roars of the Vatenians, but it was fading. The smoke thinned and the air grew clearer. They had lost their pursuers. For now.

Mileena leaned against the wall, her chest heaving. "We can't... We can't lose them," she gasped.

Johnny nodded, his grip firm on her shoulder. "We won't. We'll find them." His eyes searched the darkness, the light from their torches flickering and casting eerie shadows on the damp stones. “But for right now, we are on our own…”

Chapter Text

Kenshi and Tanya found themselves in a different part of the chamber, separated from the others by the collapsed pillar and the wall of fire. They coughed and stumbled through the thick smoke, their eyes watering and vision blurred. "This way!" Tanya called out, her voice hoarse and barely audible over the roar of the flames.

Kenshi followed closely behind, his lungs burning from the smoke. They stumbled through the darkness, the heat of the fire at their backs, feeling the walls for any sign of an exit. The sound of collapsing stones grew louder, and the air grew warmer, hinting that the fire was spreading rapidly. "We need to hurry," Kenshi rasped, scanning the walls for a way out.

Tanya nodded, her eyes stinging with the effort of keeping them open. "There," she pointed to a door in the distance. "An exit." They sprinted towards it, the heat of the flames growing more intense with every step.

As they approached, more rocks fell from the ceiling, and the doorway grew smaller as the flames began to consume the wooden frame. They could feel the heat singeing their hair and the fabric of their clothes. With a burst of adrenaline, Kenshi pushed Tanya through the narrowing gap just as the door gave way to the inferno.

He stumbled into the tunnel with her, the flaming embers lighting up their path briefly before dying out, leaving them in darkness once again. The roar of the fire was muffled now, replaced by the sound of their panicked breathing and racing hearts. Kenshi slowly got up and reached over his shoulder. But as his hand met nothing, he froze.

Sento was missing…

“Son of a bitch!” He swore, patting down his back, feeling the empty space where Sento should have been. Panic set in as he thought of his ancestors sword being consumed by the flames. He gripped the door tightly, trying to keep it from shutting entirely, the heat from the other side threatening to scald his skin.

Tanya ran up to him. “What are you doing?” She coughed, the smoke still thick in her throat.

“Sento’s gone! I can’t see without it!” He shouted over the crackling fire, desperation etched on his face.

Tanya grabbed his arm firmly. “Kenshi, we can’t go back now. We’ll die in there!”

Kenshi shook his head, struggling to keep the door open. "I’m not going anywhere without it!" he yelled over the inferno's roar.

Tanya’s grip tightened on his arm. "Kenshi, you’re going to get us both killed!" she screamed, trying to pull him away from the burning doorway.

The wood eventually gave out with a final, painful groan, the flames licking closer and closer. With a loud crack, stone crumbled and the door was lost to the fire, leaving them with no way back to the others.

Kenshi stumbled back, his monochrome vision disappearing as his blindness returned. "Damn it!” He spat, the loss of his sword and sight a painful blow.

Tanya gave him a look of pity. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper.

Kenshi took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. "I have to be," he murmured, his hand still feeling the empty space where Sento should be. "I have to find Johnny…”

Together, they moved through the uncharted tunnels, the darkness a stark contrast to the fiery hell they had just escaped. Kenshi’s heightened senses took over, his hearing and touch guiding him as he leaned heavily on Tanya. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the narrow passages, and they both tensed at every strange noise, expecting another attack at any moment.
“Do you think the others made it out?” Tanya asked, her voice tight with worry.

Kenshi took a deep breath, trying to listen for any signs of life beyond the crackling fire. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice heavy with dread.

They moved as quickly as they could, the echoes of their footsteps their only companions in the stifling darkness. The air grew cooler, hinting that they were moving away from the fire, but the smoke remained a constant presence, clinging to their clothes and hair. Tanya’s hand was clammy in his, and he could feel her tremble with each step they took into the unknown.

Their path grew narrower, the ceiling low enough that Kenshi had to bend almost double to avoid scraping his head. His hand trailed along the damp stone wall, feeling for any sign of a turn or a doorway. The silence was horrible, broken only by their shallow breaths and the distant pops of the fire consuming the chamber.

“That fire should die out quickly,” Tanya said, trying to sound hopeful. “There isn’t enough oxygen down here to sustain it for long.”

Kenshi nodded, trying to focus on her voice as his eyesight remained stubbornly absent. The loss of Sento was a deep ache, but he knew he had to keep moving. The thought of Johnny being alone with the creatures in the dark was unbearable.

"We can't be far from the dungeons," he assured her, though the doubt in his voice was clear.

The narrow tunnel grew wider, and the air grew fresher, hinting that the fire was indeed dying out. But with each step, the silence grew heavier, filled with unspoken fears and the occasional distant growl that echoed through the labyrinth of tunnels.

Tanya tightened her grip on Kenshi’s arm. "I think we're getting closer," she whispered, her voice barely carrying in the stillness.

Kenshi, sighed, his heart racing in his chest. The darkness was disorienting, but he focused on her warm touch and the sound of her breathing to keep his panic at bay. "I hope so," he murmured, his hand unconsciously reaching for the hilt of Sento, only to find emptiness.

Their progress was slow but steady, each step echoing through the ancient tunnels. They stumbled upon a fork in the path, the flaming torches on the walls long extinguished. The air grew cooler, hinting that they were moving in the right direction. They decided to take the left path, which felt less traveled and had a faint scent of earth and moss.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps grew louder, and the shadows on the walls began to shift. They were no longer alone. "Kenshi, do you hear that?" Tanya whispered urgently, her grip tightening on his arm.

He nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The footsteps grew closer, the echoes bouncing off the walls and floor, making it impossible to pinpoint their exact location. "Whatever it is, it's coming for us," he murmured, his hand reaching for the hilt of Sento again, only to be met with emptiness. “Damn it.”

Tanya’s eyes searched the darkness, her muscles tense and ready for battle. “What do we do?”

“We fight or we die,” Kenshi said simply, gripping her hand.

Tanya nodded, steeling herself for whatever was coming. They heard the creatures approaching, their heavy footsteps and guttural growls echoing through the tunnels. The sound grew closer, and soon she could see the red eyes of the Vaternians reflecting off the damp stones.

Kenshi tightened his grip on Tanya’s hand, his other hand clenched in a fist. He knew they couldn’t outrun these creatures in the narrow tunnel. They had to make a stand. He could feel her pulse racing through her fingers, matching the tempo of his own heart.

The red eyes grew closer, and soon the silhouettes of the Vatenians appeared, their forms hunched and twisted in the dim light. The creatures' growls grew louder, a chorus of hunger and malice that sent shivers down Kenshi’s spine.

“Stay behind me,” he murmured to Tanya, his voice calm despite the fear that gnawed at him.

The first creature lunged, and Kenshi swung his arms blindly, his instincts guiding him. He felt the impact as his fist connected with something solid, and the creature yelped before falling back. Tanya leaped into action, her staff flashing in the torchlight as she fought off the others.

Their movements grew more frantic as more Vatenians joined the fray, their eyes glowing like embers in the dark. Kenshi’s training took over, his body moving almost on its own, dodging and striking where he heard the beasts breathing and growling.

Tanya fought valiantly beside him, her staff a blur of motion as she blocked and parried the creatures’ attacks. But their numbers were growing, and the echoes of their snarls grew deafening.

"We have to keep moving!" she shouted over the din, her voice strained with effort.

Kenshi nodded, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He could feel the panic rising in his chest, but he pushed it down. They couldn't afford to get trapped here. With a grunt, he swung his arm again, and a Vatenian yelped before it retreated.

They sprinted down the tunnel, the footsteps of their pursuers growing fainter. The echoes of their battle faded into the distance, leaving them with only the sound of their own breathing and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling. The tunnel grew wider, and they entered a large dusty chamber filled with old crates.

Tanya closed the heavy wooden door and pushed a large crate in front of it. She took a deep breath and slowly walked back, looking around the room. “Looks like an old storage room.” She commented.

Kenshi tilted his head as he felt his way along the wall, the rough stones pressing into his palms as he tried to make out the layout. “These tunnels were used for more than just navigating under the palace?” He asked.

“Yes, they were used to store supplies and treasures from all over the realms,” Tanya replied, her eyes scanning the dusty shelves before a faint smile painted her lips. “Me, Mileena and…Kitana used to sneak down here and play hide and seek when we were kids.”

Kenshi couldn’t help but smile at the image of them playing games in these very tunnels. It was a stark contrast to the warrior he knew her as. “You and Mileena are close,” he noted, his voice gentle.

Tanya’s expression grew solemn. “We are. I wish we were more...” she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kenshi raised an eyebrow. “What was that?”

Tanya took a moment before she speaks, her voice a little quieter. “Mileena and I…I wish we have a chance to be more than just...comrades,” she blushed. “But she’s the empress, and I’m just a warrior. And now...with all of this happening, it feels like it’s all we’ll ever be. Like the world is falling apart around us, and we can’t even find a moment to...”

Kenshi felt a pang of understanding. “You love her,” he said simply.

Tanya looked at him, surprised by his directness. “I do,” she admitted, her voice thick with unshed tears. “And I know she feels the exact same way about me. But she’s so focused on her duty and her people. And now, with everything that’s happening, it just feels so...selfish to even think about it.”

Kenshi took a deep breath, his hand still on the wall as he felt his way around the room. “Well, when me and Johnny became a…thing, it was during a pretty shitty time too. Sometimes, you just have to hold onto what’s good in the world, you know?”

Tanya looked at him, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “You’re right,” she murmured. “But it’s hard when you can’t even tell if you’re going to make it out of here alive.”

Kenshi’s expression grew serious. “We will make it out of here, Tanya. And when we do, we’ll-”

His words were abruptly cut off by a screech from above, and suddenly he was yanked off his feet. A Vatenian had been lying in wait, its claws digging into his shoulders, lifting him into the air. The creature’s eyes burned with a feral hunger as it descended upon him, jaws wide.

“Kenshi!” Tanya screamed as the creature took him off his feet, her heart pounding in her chest. She swung her staff with all her might, aiming for the Vaternian’s head, but it was too fast. The creature’s jaws snapped shut around Kenshi’s neck, and he let out a muffled cry of pain.

Her eyes filled with horror as she could see Kenshi’s body convulse, his blood soaking the ground. “No!” she shouted, her eyes blinded by tears and rage.

The creature’s grip was too strong for Kenshi to break free, and the pain was unlike anything he had ever felt. He gagged and kicked, his legs flailing as he tried to escape the creature’s jaws. The Vatenian’s teeth were like hot knives, burning through his flesh and muscle.

Tanya’s world narrowed to a single point of rage as she saw Kenshi being torn apart before her eyes. She threw her staff with a ferocity born of desperation, connecting with the creature’s skull. The Vaternian roared in pain, releasing Kenshi, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Tanya didn’t waste a moment. She rushed to his side, the warm stickiness of his blood coating her hands as she tried to stop the flow from his neck. “Hold on, Kenshi!” she screamed, her eyes never leaving his face.

Kenshi could only muster up a gurgle as he tried to speak through the blood filling his throat. His hands clutched her hands, his grip weakening as the warmth of his life seeped into her palms. She could feel the panic rising in her chest, threatening to consume her as she desperately tried to keep the pressure on his neck wound.

“You’re bit…” Tanya realized, her voice shaking as she tried to hold back the fear of what was bound to happen to Kenshi. The realization of Johnnys reaction washed over her, and she pushed down the bile rising in her throat.

“It’s okay,” Tanya managed to croak out, her voice thick with tears. “You’ll be ok.”

But Kenshi knew better. He could feel the venom spreading through him, a burning cold that chilled his bones and turned his muscles to lead. “Tell...Johnny,” he rasped.

Tanya waited for him to continue. “What is it?”

“Tell... Johnny... I lo…“ Kenshi’s voice was barely a whisper, the life fading from it.”

Tanya tilted her head, not catching Kenshi’s final words. She leaned closer, her heart pounding in her ears. "What is it?" she whispered urgently.

“Tell Johnny his little boyfriend is fucking burning in hell!” ‘Kenshi’ spat, its voice now a twisted mockery of his own.

The horror on Tanya’s face was palpable as she stumbled back, her hand reaching for her staff in a defensive stance. The creature lunged at the sound, and she barely had time to react, slamming the end of the staff into its nose with a sickening crunch.

Kenshi howled in pain, holding its nose that was now bloody. “Stupid fucking whore!” It snarled, swiping at her aimlessly.

Tanya slowly stepped back as she realized that while it was indeed after her, it couldn’t see her…but it could hear her.

The creature stumbled around, its snarls of pain mixing with its malicious laughter. Her heart sank as she neared the exit, Kenshi was gone, and she was now alone with a creature that had once been her ally. Tanya took a deep breath, opening the door with a loud creak that made her hair stand up on her neck.

The creature lunged at her, but she was ready. She swung the staff in an arc, catching it in the side of its head, and it collapsed to the ground. She didn’t wait to see if it would get up again. She sprinted down the corridor, her heart hammering in her chest, her eyes searching for any sign of the others.

The walls of the tunnel were slick with moisture, and the smell of rot filled her nostrils as she ran. The darkness was absolute, and she could feel the panic rising again. "Mileena!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the emptiness.

There was no answer, only the distant sound of running water and the occasional drip from the ceiling. The ground grew wetter underfoot, and she could feel the cold seeping into her boots. "Johnny! Mileena!" she called out again, her voice hoarse from the smoke.

The only reply was the echo of her own desperate cries. The silence was suffocating, and with each step, she feared she was moving further away from her friends and deeper into the bowels of the palace. The tunnel grew wider, and she could feel the air thicken with an unsettling presence.

Her breaths grew shallow, the weight of their situation pressing down on her like a heavy mantle. "Johnny! Mileena!" she shouted again, her voice echoing off the cold, wet stones.

Suddenly, she heard a faint sound, a whisper of movement in the distance. Tanya’s heart skipped a beat, hope blossoming in her chest. She picked up her pace, her legs moving faster despite the ache in her muscles. The sound grew louder, and she could make out the unmistakable sound of booted feet against stone.

"Johnny! Mileena!" she shouted again, her voice echoing through the tunnel. This time, she heard an answering call, faint but clear. "Tanya? Over here!"

Her heart pounding, she sprinted towards the sound, her boots splashing in the shallow water that had started to pool on the floor. Around a bend in the passage, she saw a flicker of light. She rounded the corner and skidded to a halt, her eyes widening in surprise.

She was met with the sight of Syzoth and Ashrah standing there, their weapons drawn and bloodied, surrounded by the bodies of several slain Vaternians. Their expressions were grim, but relief flooded their faces when they saw her.

"Tanya!" Syzoth called out, rushing over to her. "Are you alright?"

"I...I don't know," she panted, her eyes scanning the grim scene before her. "Kenshi...he's...he's gone."

The words hung in the air, thick with pain and fear. Ashrah stepped closer, her eyes searching Tanya's face for signs of injury. "What happened?"

Tanya took a shaky breath, her hand still pressed to her chest. "The fire...it separated us. Kenshi and I found a way out, but..." Her voice broke, and she looked away, unable to meet their gazes. "He...he got bit.”

Syzoth's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. "A Vaternian got him?"

Tanya nodded, her voice trembling. "Yes. He's...he's gone."

Syzoth and Ashrah exchanged a grim look. "We need to find a way out of here and fast," Syzoth said, his voice low and urgent. "These tunnels are full of them."

Tanya nodded, pushing back her tears. "Johnny and Mileena, they're still out there."

Syzoth crossed his arms. “So is the Shirai Ryu,” he muttered darkly. “We will find everyone, don’t worry.”

Ashrah took Tanya’s hand gently. “Come, we must keep moving.”

The three of them set off again, the light from the torches they had found flickering off the walls of the damp tunnel. The air grew colder, and the scent of blood grew stronger. Tanya trailed behind Syzoth and Ashrah as they navigated the maze.

Ashrah smiled at Syzoth. “So, before all this…happened, how is your new job as the Royal Emissary?” She softly asked.

Syzoth sighed. “It’s been... interesting. Mileena’s been busy with the war, so I’ve had to deal with a lot of diplomats and ambassadors. It’s a lot of listening and nodding, but it was better than fighting these beasts every day,” he said, gesturing to the dead Vaternians around them. “What about you? How is life in Earthrealm?”

Ashrah’s smile grew wistful. “Different. I’ve made a new life there. Friends, enemies... a place to call home.”

Syzoth nodded, understanding in his gaze. "When all this is over, I shall join you permanently. There is nothing left for me here but painful memories," he said solemnly. “Especially with us being forced to work with…” He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

Ashrah’s grip on her kris tightened. “Him?” She spat.

Syzoth nodded, his eyes darkening. “That fucking bastard, Shang Tsung.” He hissed the name with contempt. “The moment the opportunity presents itself, he’s dead.”

Ashrah narrowed her eyes. “You’re working with him?” She asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

Syzoth scoffed. “I am not taking another order from him ever again,” he clarified. “The Empress and Lord Liu Kang are hoping he discovers a cure…but I’m not getting my hopes up.”

Tanya nodded in agreement, her mind racing with the implications of their alliance with Shang Tsung. Despite her fears, she knew they had no choice but to trust him for now. The thought of Kenshi’s fate weighed heavily on her, and she couldn’t shake the image of his pained face from her mind. But the thought of what might happen to Mileena pained her even more.

The trio moved swiftly, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the eerie silence of the tunnels. The air grew colder, and the smell of damp earth mixed with the metallic scent of blood grew stronger. They encountered more Vatenians, but their numbers had thinned, and the creatures were becoming more cautious.

"Johnny! Mileena!" Tanya called out again and again, her voice bouncing off the stone walls. Each time she heard only the distant sound of water and the occasional skitter of a creature retreating into the shadows.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she swiped at the sweat trickling down her forehead. The torches they had found cast flickering shadows that danced like ghosts around them, adding to the eerie atmosphere. They turned a corner, and the tunnel opened up into a vast chamber with a stream running through the center, its banks lined with moss and fungi that glowed faintly in the dark.

"This place gives me the creeps," Syzoth murmured, his eyes scanning the area warily.

"We can't afford to be scared," Tanya retorted, her voice shaking slightly.

They followed the stream, the sound of rushing water growing louder with each step. The light from the fungi grew brighter, casting an eerie green glow over the chamber. As they walked, they heard the footsteps approaching. They all hid behind the nearby pillar, their weapons at the ready. The tension was palpable as the echo grew closer.

Tanya gripped her staff tightly as she turned the corner and swung, only to be met with pink-gloved hands blocking the hit. She stumbled back in shock, her eyes wide with fear and confusion before recognition painted her face and before she knew it, she was embracing Mileena tightly.

Mileena’s arms wrapped around her just as fiercely, the empress’s eyes brimming with relief. “Tanya, thank the heavens you’re safe,” she murmured, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Tanya could feel Mileena’s heart racing against her own chest, and she clung to her, desperately trying to hold onto this moment of reprieve. But the sobs that she had been holding back finally broke free, her body shaking with the weight of her fear and grief.

However, her smile dropped as quickly as it had formed when she saw Johnny standing behind Mileena, looking for Kenshi with calm eyes. “Glad to see you’re still alive,” he smiled. “…where’s Kenshi?”

The silence grew heavy. Tanya took a deep breath and stepped back from Mileena, her eyes meeting Johnny’s. “Johnny…” she choked out, her voice thick with unshed tears.

Johnny’s smile faded, his eyes searching Tanya’s face for answers. “What happened?” he asked, his tone gentle but firm.

Tanya’s eyes dropped to the ground, the weight of her words threatening to crush her. “He didn’t make it,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “A Vaternian bit him. He... he turned, and...” She couldn’t bring herself to say the rest.

Johnny’s face paled, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. He looked around the tunnel, as if expecting Kenshi to appear from the shadows, unscathed. The reality of the situation settled in, and his shoulders slumped. “No,” he murmured, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Mileena covered her mouth in horror, her hand reaching out to him. “Johnny, I’m so sorry,” she said softly.

Johnny took a step back, his eyes glazed over as the news sank in. "It's not true," he whispered, shaking his head. "It can't be."

Mileena's grip on Tanya tightened as she watched the emotional turmoil play out across Johnny's face. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, her voice cracking.

Tears ran down Johnnys face as he began to hyperventilate. “No, it’s…it’s not true…” he stammered, his eyes searching the room for any sign of his lover. “W-w-where is he?”

Tanya looked at Mileena, her own eyes filled with pain. “I…don’t know, I ran away from him when he tried to kill me.” She answered.

Johnny’s eyes snapped to hers, his breathing becoming erratic. “You just left him?”

Tanya’s voice was thick with pain and guilt. “He was...gone, Johnny. He was one of them. He was going to kill me. I had no choice!”

Johnny stared at her, his disbelief morphing into anger. “You had a choice! You could have tried to save him! You could have...” His words trailed off as the gravity of the situation hit him. He leaned against the wall, his legs threatening to give way beneath him.

The four of them stayed quiet, letting Johnny process the news. The only sounds were the distant drips of water and the occasional crackle of the torches. Johnnys cries were muffled against the stone wall, his chest heaving with sobs. Syzoth wiped away a tear that had fell down his cheek, fidgeting with his wedding ring, knowing all too well the pain.

Mileena took a step forward, her hand reaching out to comfort him. "Johnny, we need to keep moving," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "We can't stay here."

Johnny's eyes shot up, anger and grief mixing into a fiery determination. "No, we can't leave him here. We have to find him."

Mileena nodded solemnly. "We will," she assured him, her grip on his arm firm. "But we must be careful. The Vaternians are-“

“I don’t give a fuck about them!” Johnny snapped, pushing himself off the wall and storming down the corridor. “We’re not leaving him down here!”

Tanya watched him go, her heart breaking all over again. “Johnny, wait!” she called after him, her voice echoing off the wet stones.

He didn’t stop, his boots splashing in the shallow water as he moved deeper into the tunnel. Tanya took a deep breath and followed, her legs feeling like lead. They couldn’t split up again, not with the Vaternians lurking in the shadows.

Ashrah and Syzoth exchanged a worried glance before they too set off after him. The chamber grew smaller again, the walls closing in, and the air grew thick with the scent of burning torches and something else, something sweet and sickly. It made Tanya’s stomach churn.

They turned a corner, and the light from the torches illuminated Johnny checking every corner for any sign of Kenshi. His eyes were red and puffy from crying, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Johnny! Be careful!” Mileena ordered, her voice tight with worry.

Johnny didn’t respond, his eyes scanning the tunnel with a feral intensity. He stomped through the murky water, leaving a trail of disturbed ripples in his wake. Tanya's heart was in her throat, her thoughts racing. How could she have allowed this to happen? How could she not have saved Kenshi?

The sweet, sickly scent grew stronger, and Tanya’s grip on her staff tightened. It smelled like...death. The kind of death that lingered and festered, leaving a stain on everything it touched. Her gut twisted with a mix of fear and dread. “Johnny! Stop.”

Johnny spun around, his eyes wild with a mix of anger and desperation. “Why? Because you’re afraid of what we might find?” He spat the words at her, his voice laced with accusation.

Tanya’s eyes flashed with anger. “No, because we don’t know what’s down here, and we need to stick together!” she retorted, her voice firm despite the tears that still clung to her lashes.

Johnny scoffed. “Stick together? Haven’t we been doing that?” He gestured to the surrounding darkness. “It’s gotten us nowhere but deeper into this fucking nightmare!”

Mileena stepped forward, her eyes pleading. “Johnny, please. We need to think strategically. We can’t just rush in blindly. We need to find the others and regroup. We’re stronger together, remember?”

Johnny’s gaze hardened. “I don’t care about the others right now,” he said, his voice filled with a raw emotion that made Tanya’s heart ache. “I only care about Kenshi. He’s out there, and I’m going to find him, with or without your guy’s help.”

Ashrah opened her mouth to retort by she paused, and began to back away slowly along with the others, keeping her eyes locked on Johnny. Johnny raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? Scared?”

Syzoth instinctively grabbed Ashrah’s hand, gesturing for Johnny to stay silent with a horrified expression. He eyes also locked onto him.

Johnny shrugged. “What? You think I can’t handle myself?”

“Cage, shut the fuck up!” Mileena whispered harshly, pointing her head in the direction of the faint snarling sounds coming from behind Johnny.

Johnny froze as he felt the hot breathing on the back of his neck, and he realized his mistake. He turned slowly to face the snarling creature that had once been Kenshi. Grief overtook any logical thinking and he reached out for him. “Kenshi?”

Kenshi growled as he bit Johnnys arm, and Johnny's eyes widened in shock. He could feel the pain, but it was nothing compared to the agony of losing Kenshi. Kenshi gurgled on his own blood, the liquid filling his lungs, no longer allowing him to talk.

Johnny ripped his arm away, stumbling backward as the creature that was once Kenshi lunged at him again. "Kenshi, no!" he shouted, but the monster didn't recognize his voice. It was as if Kenshi's soul had been replaced with pure hatred and rage.

The others immediately sprang into action, weapons at the ready. Mileena's eyes were cold steel as she stepped in front of Johnny, her twin sais flashing in the torchlight. "Johnny, get behind us," she ordered firmly.

Johnny's eyes never left Kenshi's distorted form. "I can't," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "It's...it's still him."

"Johnny, you have to move," Syzoth urged, his claws drawn and his gaze flicking between the creature and the tunnel ahead.

Johnny didn't budge, his eyes still locked on Kenshi's monstrous form. "We can save him," he murmured, his voice laced with hope and desperation. “We’re working on a cure.”

Kenshi tilted his head, trying to make out the sounds of his prey, his teeth were bared, and his movements were jerky and uncoordinated. Blood pooled out his neck wound, staining his clothes and the ground beneath him.

Mileena pressed a finger to her lips, pleading for them all to be silent. Kenshi sniffed the air, its head swiveling from side to side. It was clear that Johnny's hope was misplaced; the Kenshi they knew was gone, replaced by a mindless beast driven by instinct and the hunger for flesh.

They slowly backed away, the creature's snarls growing louder as it stumbled closer. The sight of Kenshi filled with a rabid hunger was too much for Johnny to bear.

"Johnny, come on," Tanya urged, tugging at his shirt.

Kenshi’s head snapped up, and he lunged at the sound. Johnny's resolve shattered, and he stumbled backward, his heart feeling like it was being torn out of his chest.

Mileena stepped in front of him, her sais at the ready. "Johnny, move!" she barked, her eyes never leaving the creature.

Johnny's legs finally obeyed, and he ran. Kenshi crashed into Mileena, knocking her to the ground. She rolled away, her sais flashing in the torchlight as she tried to keep it at bay.

Ashrah and Tanya stepped in, their weapons slicing through the air. The creature was fast, but it was weakened by its injuries and the venom coursing through its system. They managed to keep it at bay, giving Mileena time to recover.

Johnny watched from a safe distance, his heart in his throat as he saw his friends fighting for their lives against the creature that had once been Kenshi. His mind raced with a jumble of emotions: anger, fear, and despair. He knew they had to end this, but the thought of killing Kenshi was unbearable.

The creature's movements grew more erratic, its once graceful swordsmanship replaced by clumsy swipes and snaps of its jaws. Johnny took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to do. He couldn't let his emotions control him anymore. He had to help.

He took a step forward, his eyes on his lover. "Kenshi," he whispered, his voice shaking. "It's me, Johnny."

The creature paused, tilting its head slightly, as if it heard something familiar in the desperate plea. For a brief moment, a flicker of recognition flashed in its face, and the snarling subsided.

"Kenshi, please," Johnny begged, his hand outstretched. "Fight it."

The creature took a shaky step toward him, its movements unsteady. The others held their breath, weapons ready but unwilling to strike. Johnny moved closer. “It’s ok…” he whispered.

Until it wasn’t.

Kenshi clawed at Johnnys face, knocking him to the ground with a growl that seemed to echo through the very core of the earth. Johnny felt the warm, sticky liquid of Kenshi’s blood cover his skin and he screamed, the pain from his freshly bitten arm piercing through his soul.

He closed his eyes tightly, not being able to bring himself to fight him off. Perhaps, if he could just hold on, Kenshi would come back to them. Maybe there was a spark of humanity left in him. 
Kenshi clawed at him more aggressively, preparing to bite down on his neck before being hit in the head with a staff.

He snarled as he tried to get up but the staff came down again, and again on his skull until he went still. Kenshi lay there, unmoving in a pool of blood, and the silence was deafening.

Johnny’s eyes snapped open, his vision blurry with tears and pain. He scrambled to his hands and knees, crawling towards Kenshi’s lifeless body. “No, no, no!” he screamed, his voice echoing off the cavernous walls.

Tanya breathed in and out, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she had done what she had to, but the sight of Kenshi's still form was a stark reminder of the horrors of this place. "Johnny," she murmured, her voice shaking. "We have to go."

Johnny didn't move. He remained hunched over Kenshi's body, his hands trembling as he touched his lover's cheek. “Oh god…Kenshi…” he cried out, his voice breaking.

Tanya closed her eyes. “Johnny, i am so-“

Johnny looked at her with rage filled eyes. “Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say you’re sorry!” He shouted, his voice bouncing off the cavern walls. “You killed him! You fucking killed him!”

Tanya felt the sting of his accusation, the weight of her actions heavy on her shoulders. “Johnny, it was us or him! You know what they become!” she yelled back, her own voice cracking with emotion.

Mileena's grip on her sais tightened as she stood up, her eyes never leaving the creature's body. "Johnny, we have to go," she said firmly, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and urgency. "We can't stay here."

Johnny ignored her, his eyes fixed on Kenshi's lifeless form. "I can't leave him here," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "We have to...we have to do something."

Mileena took a step closer, her gaze softening. "We will, Johnny," she promised, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We’ll come back for the body once this all blows over.”

Johnny's anger didn't abate. He pushed her hand away, his voice rising. “You expect me to just leave him here, like some animal?”

“Johnny, we don’t have a choice!” Tanya shot back, her own grief and fear mixing with frustration. “We can’t carry him with us, and we can’t stay here.”

Syzoth nodded gravely, his voice a gentle rumble. “We’ll honor him, Johnny. We’ll find a way to lay him to rest properly. But right now, we need to focus on surviving and getting out of here.”

Johnny’s eyes remained on Kenshi’s body, his mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts. He knew they were right, but leaving him behind was breaking his heart in two. “Fine,” he bit out, his voice low and filled with anger. “Just give a minute with him.”

Tanya and Mileena shared a look of understanding, stepping back to give him space. Syzoth and Ashrah stood guard at the entrance, ensuring their safety from any other Vaternians that might stumble upon them.

Johnny sat beside Kenshi's body, his hands hovering over the still form. He couldn't believe this was the end. The man he had fought alongside, loved, and called his best friend was gone. Tears streamed down his face as he kissed his forehead. “I’m sorry, Kenshi. I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking with pain. “I love you. Always have, always will.”

The moments stretched on, a silent vigil filled with the echoes of their recent battle and the sobs that occasionally escaped Johnny’s chest. The others waited patiently, giving him the space he needed to grieve.

Finally, with a heavy heart, Johnny stood up, his eyes red and swollen. He looked at Tanya, his expression a mix of anger and pain. "Let’s get out of here…”

They turned to leave, the weight of their loss heavy in the air. Johnny looked over his shoulder, his eyes lingering on Kenshi’s body one last time before they disappeared into the shadows of the tunnel. He let out of sigh of disbelief as he reached into pocket, pulling out a diamond ring that had been wrapped in a scrap of cloth. It had been a promise of their future together, a symbol of their love and commitment that would now never come to pass. He slipped the ring on his finger, feeling the cold metal against his skin, a stark reminder of the warmth that had been ripped away from him. “I’ll miss you Ken-doll.”

Chapter Text

The familiar sight of Rain’s neighborhood filled him with a mix of comfort and dread. Night had fallen over the quiet streets, casting long shadows that stretched from the towering oak trees to the cracked sidewalks below. He had been away for what felt like an eternity, but in reality, it had only been a few months. He and Reiko had managed to walk the long distance from the palace into the quiet neighborhoods of Sun Do in hopes of being reunited with his mother.

Reiko, who had been following closely behind, cleared his throat. “I haven’t been in this neighborhood in years.” He commented.

Rain nodded absently, his eyes searching the darkness. “It hasn’t changed much, has it?”

Reiko took in the scenery, his gaze lingering on the boarded-up windows and faded paint of the houses they passed. “No, it hasn’t,” he murmured. “Not that I would really remember, Shao never let me come over to your house.”

Rain let out a small laugh. “You used to sneak in through the window, didn’t you?”

Reiko shrugged, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Whenever I could. Your mother’s cooking was worth the risk.”

Rain’s smile dropped, the memories of his mother’s warm embrace and the mouthwatering aroma of her curry suddenly painfully vivid. He swallowed hard. “Yeah, it was good back then.”

Reiko walked up to the side of him. “She’s alive, Rain. She’s strong, and she’s waiting for you. We’re going to get her out of there, I promise.” His voice was firm, his eyes full of determination.

Rain nodded, taking in a deep breath as they approached the house he had once called home. The lights were off, but he knew she was there. He could feel her presence, a silent beacon in the night. The once vibrant and welcoming house now looked like a fortress under siege, surrounded by the decay of the neighborhood caused by the invasion.

Rain and Reiko crept silently into the dark foyer of Amara's house, their hearts pounding in their throats. The air was thick with the musty scent of old books and the faint aroma of herbs. The two exchanged nervous glances as they slowly pushed open the creaky door to the living room.

The room was in shambles; furniture overturned, paintings and decorations shattered, and books scattered everywhere. A thick layer of dust coated everything, along with blood splattered here and there.

Their hearts hammering, Rain and Reiko slowly made their way through the house, their eyes darting left and right, searching for any sign of Amara. They paused by the entrance to the kitchen, listening for any sound that might indicate she was alive.

The kitchen was in much the same state as the living room, with overturned counters and cabinets, broken dishes and glassware littering the floor. Rain let out a shaky breath. “Maa... are you here? It's me, Zeffeero. It's safe now, you can come out..." His voice trembled, his eyes darting around the room as he searched for any sign of his mother.

Reiko put a comforting hand on Rain's shoulder. "We'll find her, Rain. Stay strong." They moved to the next room, the dining area, where the table was flipped over and chairs thrown against the walls. The sight was unsettling, but they had to keep looking.

They tiptoed up the stairs, the old wooden boards groaning under their weight. Each step brought them closer to the potential horrors that awaited them in the upper floor. Rain's palms grew clammy as he clutched the banister, his mind racing with fearful scenarios.

The first room they checked was Rain's childhood bedroom. It remained untouched, as if frozen in time. The bed was neatly made, with a plush comforter folded at the foot, a few of his favorite books stacked on the nightstand, and some of his old baby toys sitting in a corner, collecting dust. Rain felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with dread. "Maa?" he called out softly, but there was no answer.

Reiko walked down a separate hall. “I’ll check this side of the house, you take that one.” He whispered. Rain nodded and proceeded, his eyes scanning the hallway as he walked.

The floorboards creaked underfoot as Rain continued, his heart pounding in his chest. He paused in front of a door, the one to his mother's bedroom. There was something written on the door, written in blood, he realized with a shudder. ‘Zeffeero, do not come in.’

His throat tightened as he read the message, the blood making his stomach churn. Was she in there? Was she alive? With shaking hands, Rain turned the knob and pushed the door open.
The smell of blood and death was overpowering, making it hard to breathe. The room was in disarray, with furniture overturned and papers strewn about. His mother's favorite painting hung crookedly on the wall, a slash of blood painting a gory signature below it. However the main focus was the bed, where his mother had one hand bound to the headboard, the other one desperately clawing at Rain as she growled and hissed at him while glaring with her lifeless eyes.

Rain felt his heart shatter in that moment, he was too late, too selfish, and too scared. He couldn’t hold back the tears that began to flow down his cheeks as he took in the gruesome scene before him. His mother, Amara, once a beacon of warmth and protection, had been transformed into one of the vile creatures that plagued the realm, Her skin was pale and mottled, her eyes glazed over with the same malevolent hunger he'd seen in the Vaternians' gazes.

"Maa..." Rain choked out, taking a step closer despite his fear. Amara's movements grew more frenzied, her mouth snapping shut with a sickening sound. Rain sat on the edge of the bed, trying to ignore the coldness of the bloodstained sheets beneath him. "…I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice trembling. "I should have been here."

Amara's body jerked, and for a moment, her eyes regained their focus. There was a flicker of recognition in her gaze before she snarled and lunged at him again. Rain yelped and fell backwards, landing hard on the floor. He scrambled to his feet, retreating from the bed as his mother continued to claw at the air, her ghostly form twitching erratically.

Rain sighed. “I’m really sorry, Maa,” he began, sitting back down on the bed. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone when I left for school, I was so stupid…I knew that you were still grieving Pita, but I just thought that it would be better for me to go away, to be strong for you. I thought that if I stayed, I would only make it worse for you, for both of us. I thought it would make things easier for you, but I was wrong, so wrong..."

He paused, wiping away tears. “And I’m sorry for betraying Outworld, I allowed myself to be swayed by promises of power and glory, I thought I was helping…” his voice cracked. “But I was wrong, and I paid the price…” he looked at her with a red, tear-streaked face. “But, I can’t lost you too, Maa. I can't. Please…”

Reiko’s footsteps grew closer until he eventually appeared in the doorway. “Rain, did you find-“ His words died in his throat as he took in the grisly scene before him. His expression turned to one of horror and disbelief.

Rain turned to Reiko, his eyes pleading for understanding. Reiko's gaze flickered between Rain and Amara, uncertainty written all over his face. He took a hesitant step forward, his hand reaching out to touch his shoulder. "Rain, I-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Amara's body convulsed violently, and with a wet tearing sound, she tore herself free from whatever was binding her to the bed. She launched herself at Rain, her jagged teeth snapping wildly in the air. Rain screamed as she landed on top of him, her weight pinning him to the ground. He held her at bay with his hands, trying to stop her from clawing and biting into him.

Reiko sprang into action, grabbing Amara by the shoulders and throwing her off Rain, knocking her into a nearby bookshelf. He took Rain’s hand and lifted him up. “Are you alright?” He asked.

Rain stared, dazed. He looked at his mother, her body crumpled on the floor. He felt a sob rising in his throat as he nodded. “Yeah... I-I think... so..." He took a shaky breath and wiped the tears from his face.

Reiko pulled Rain into a tight embrace, holding him close. "I’m sorry, love.” he muttered.

Rain felt his heart flutter as Reiko held him close. He buried his face into the crook of Reiko's neck, inhaling the familiar scent of him. He shuddered, still trembling from the attack. "She…she knew I would come for her," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "That’s why she wrote that on the door…”

Reiko held Rain tightly, trying to comfort him. He didn't know what to say, how to make this better. "I'm sorry, Rain," he murmured, kissing the top of his head. "I'm so sorry this happened."

They stood there for a moment while Rain sobbed and Reiko peppered his hair with gentle kisses. Rain’s sorrow was palpable, filling the room like a fog, but the gravity of the situation didn’t allow them to linger in their sorrow for long…as they heard the sound of bone snapping in Amara’s direction.

Both of their eyes widened as they watched in horror as Amara began to twist and contort on the floor, her limbs breaking and reforming in unnatural ways. She slowly stood up with a sadistic expression, no longer the loving mother Rain knew. Her eyes were now fully white, devoid of any humanity.

"We need to go," Reiko said urgently, pulling Rain towards the doorway.

Rain hesitated, his eyes never leaving his mother's transformed body. “I…I can’t.” He cried.

Amara’s body made a sickening noise as she shifted, moving impossibly fast. Rain felt Reiko tug him roughly down the hallway, away from his mother. "No, wait!" he cried, trying to pull away.

"We can't help her!" Reiko hissed, his voice hoarse with fear. "She's gone!"

They continued down the hallway, the sound of Amara's unnatural movements fading behind them. They made it to the stairs and rushed down them. As they ran, a broken part of the steps made Rain trip, entangling his limbs with Reiko's as they both tumbled down the rest of the way. They landed in a heap at the bottom, gasping for breath.

Rain struggled to his knees, his body shaking with fear and shock. He looked up at Reiko, who was clutching his side, wincing in pain. "Reiko... are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Reiko gritted his teeth. "Yeah... I think so..." he panted. He winced as he tried to stand, but his leg gave out from under him and he crumpled back to the floor. "I-I think something's broken..."

Rain knelt beside Reiko, his hands shaking. "Fuck..." he said, his voice barely audible. He glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see Amara coming for them. But the stairwell was empty. They were alone.

Reiko winced as he tried to move, and Rain put an arm around him, offering what little support he could. "Come on, let’s try and get you up.” He put an arm under his shoulder but froze when he felt something cold drip onto his hand. He glanced down and saw spots of blood on him, but Reiko wasn’t bleeding?

Rain's breath caught in his throat as he slowly lifted his head to look up above. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Amara's disfigured body looking down at them from the celling. Her limbs were twisted and contorted, her flesh pale and stretched taut across her bones. Blood dripped slowly from her distended jaw, painting a gory trail across the floor. "R-Reiko..." he stammered, his voice hoarse with fear.

Reiko craned his neck to look up as well, his face going white. "Oh, fuck..." he blurted out.

Before either of them could make a move, Amara fell down from the ceiling and landed on the ground in front of them, her body twisted and contorted even more as she stood up, slightly swaying back and forth.

Rain panicked as he grabbed Reiko and helped him to his feet, their bodies pressed close together as they tried to escape from his monstrous mother. Amara stumbled toward them, her movements jerky and unnatural. They both managed to get to the kitchen, moving the table in front of the doorway to block her. They could hear her clawing at the wood, trying to get to them. Rain opened the pantry and helped Reiko inside. Reiko looked around, realizing it was only big enough for one of them to hide.

"Stay here," Rain whispered, pushing Reiko deeper into the cramped space.

Reiko resisted. “What about you?” He asked, his voice shaking.

Rain hesitated for a moment, his hand on the door. "I'll... I'll try to distract her. Just... stay safe." He shut the door and let out a trembling breath. He could hear Amara on the other side, growling and scratching at the wood. He took a deep breath and slowly moved away from the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. He took a knife from the block on the counter and waited for her to knock the table down.

The sound of splintering wood made him jump, and he knew she was coming. Rain took a step back, his heart racing. He gripped the knife tightly, trying to steady his hand. The table busted down and Amara stumbled into the room, her eyes searching wildly.

"Maa..." Rain choked out, the knife shaking in his hand.

Amara's eyes locked onto him, her movements becoming more coordinated as she approached, a twisted smile spreading across her face. Rain took a deep breath and held the knife out in front of him, trying to keep her at bay.

"Maa, please," Rain begged, his voice shaking. "It's me, Zeffeero. Your son."

Amara's smile grew wider, her teeth bared in a grotesque imitation of happiness. She took a step forward, and Rain felt his fear spike. But instead of lunging, she gently reached out and caressed his cheek with a cold, skeletal hand. For a brief moment, Rain saw a glimpse of the mother he knew, the mother who had comforted him when he was small and afraid.

"Oh, Zeffy..." she whispered, her voice cracking. "My sweet, sweet boy..."

Rain felt his heart swell as she used that old nickname that he hated, but had missed so much. “I’m sorry Maa, for leaving, for getting arrested, everything.” He apologized.

Amara's hand gently stroked his cheek, her touch impossibly gentle for someone who looked like she did. "Shhh...”

Rain closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her touch. He didn't want to think about what was happening, what she'd become. He just wanted to feel that one last time. “I love you, Maa," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his heart racing.

Amara's touch grew firmer, more possessive. She leaned in closer, her breath hot against his ear. "I love you too, Zeffy," she murmured. "Always."

Rain felt a surge of relief and happiness wash over him as he gave in to the comfort of her touch. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to forget everything that had happened, everything that was happening. For just a moment, he was safe and loved. His grip on the knife had slowly began to slip as he relaxed, trusting in her.

But reality came crashing back as Amara’s grip tightened around his face, her nails digging into his skin. Rain’s eyes snapped open to see her smiling cruelly, the love in her eyes replaced by a ravenous hunger. “But I’m so hungry now, Zeffy," she whispered, her voice a sinister parody of its former warmth. "And I need to feed."

With a snarl, she lunged at him, her teeth aiming for his throat. Rain stumbled backward, the knife slipping from his hand as he tried to dodge her. It clattered to the floor, just out of reach. He felt a sharp pain as her nails raked his face, and the coppery scent of his own blood filled his nostrils.

He barely had time to react before she was on him again, her strength unnatural and terrifying. Rain managed to get his arms up to shield himself, but he could feel her hot breath on his neck. "Maa, no!" he screamed, desperation and fear melding together into a primal wail. “Please, stop!"

Her teeth snapped at the air, her nails raking his arms as she tried to get at his neck. Rain could feel her strength beginning to overwhelm him, could feel the sharp points of her claws digging deeper and deeper into his flesh. He could taste the metallic tang of blood as it flowed down his neck and across his lips.

Amara snarled, her grip tightening as she tried to claw through Rain's defenses. She was so hungry, so desperate for flesh and blood. She opened her mouth wide, revealing her fangs, as she prepared to tear into his throat, but a quick grab on her hair, pulled her back.

Reiko, still gripping Amara's hair, managed to pull her back and away from Rain. He was breathing heavily, his own fear and rage clear in his eyes. Amara thrashed in Reiko's grasp, her claws raking at his arms as she tried to break free. She hissed and snarled, her fangs bared and saliva dripping from her mouth.

Rain took the opportunity to scramble away from them, his back pressed against the wall. Blood flowed freely down his neck and arms, staining his shirt and dripping onto the floor. He watched, terrified, as Reiko struggled with Amara.

Amara thrashed violently in Reiko's grip, growling and snapping her teeth. Reiko grunted with effort, his own strength beginning to wane as he struggled to keep her still. Amara eventually managed to twist her body free, grabbing Reiko and throwing him against the opposite wall. He slid to the floor, dazed and winded.

Rain watched in horror as Amara turned her attention back to him. Her eyes burned with a primal hunger, and she lunged at him once more. Rain tried to scramble away, but there was nowhere to go. He eyed the forgotten knife on the floor as she pushed him against the countertop, knocking over dishes and glasses that shattered into a thousand pieces at their feet.

His muscles strained as he kept her at bay, his arms trembling with the effort. Rain knew he had to do something, but his mind was racing. He didn’t want to hurt her, he couldn’t. But he also knew that he couldn’t let her kill him.

In a desperate move, Rain shoved her back with all his might. Amara stumbled and Rain took his chance. He dove for the knife, his hand closing around the cool metal handle. As he turned to face her, she was already charging at him again. He took a deep breath, his heart racing like a caged animal. “I’m sorry, maa.”

He plunged the knife into her eye, feeling it sink deep into her skull. Amara's scream of pain and rage echoed through the house, the sound ripping through Rain's soul like shards of glass. He pushed her back, the knife sticking out of her face, and she fell to the ground, writhing in agony.

Rain stood there, his chest heaving, unable to believe what he had just done. He stared at his mother, tears running down his face. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, dropping to his knees beside her.

Amara's body convulsed for a moment before going still. Rain reached out, trembling, to touch her face. Her skin was cold, almost as if she had been dead for days. He pulled the knife out with a sickening sound, and she lay there, unmoving. He couldn't bring himself to look at her lifeless face.

The silence that followed was deafening. Rain felt a weight lift from his shoulders, but it was immediately replaced by a crushing sadness. He had killed his mother, the one person he had been searching for. The one person he had hoped to save. He fell forward, his forehead resting on her shoulder, and let out a gut-wrenching scream that slowly transitioned into sobs.

Reiko dragged himself over to Rain, his injured leg protesting with every movement. He placed a hand on Rain's back. “I’m sorry, Rain…”

Rain's sobs grew louder, his body shaking uncontrollably. "It's my fault," he wailed, his voice muffled by Amara's lifeless body. "If I had just been here, if I had just protected her..."

Reiko's grip tightened. "Rain, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known."

But Rain's grief was a wild storm, unrelenting in its fury. He felt Reiko’s hand on his back, but it was too late for comfort. The guilt and pain consumed him. "I should have been here," he murmured.

They sat there for what felt like hours, the only sounds the occasional drip of blood from the knife and Rain's hitching sobs. Reiko didn’t know what to say, his own emotions a tangle of fear, sadness, and guilt. He had never seen him so broken, so lost.

After a while, Rain spoke up. “Can- can you help me bury her?” He asked, sniffling.

Reiko nodded solemnly. “Of course,” he said, his voice thick with unshed tears.

They worked together, their movements mechanical and heavy with grief. Rain’s sobs had turned to quiet sniffles, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at his mother’s face as they wrapped her in a tattered blanket they found in the living room. They carried her body outside, the sky casting a ghostly light over the garden that had once been her pride and joy. The vibrant flowers and plants were now withered and dead, a stark reflection of the life that had been stolen from her.

They found a spot under a large oak tree, the same one Rain had climbed as a child. He took a deep, shaky breath as they laid her down. Reiko grabbed two shovels from the shed, his injured leg giving way with every step. Rain took the tool, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. He began to dig, each shovelful of dirt feeling like a part of himself being buried along with her.

Their labor was silent except for the occasional grunt or sob that escaped Rain’s chest. Sweat poured down Rain’s face, mixing with his tears as he worked. His muscles burned and his hands blistered, but he didn’t stop. He had to do this for her, had to give her a proper resting place.

As they dug, they talked about memories of Amara. Rain spoke of her cooking, her laugh, the way she’d tuck him in at night and sing to him. Reiko shared stories of when he first arrived to the palace, and how Amara had treated him like a son too. The words were a salve to Rain’s aching heart, reminding him of the woman she was before the infection claimed her.

Finally, the hole was deep enough. They gently lowered Amara’s body into the earth, the blanket barely covering her. Rain paused, his hand hovering over her lifeless form. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. “I love you, Maa,” he murmured, before tossing a handful of dirt over her.

The sound of the dirt hitting the blanket was like a gunshot in the quiet night. Rain’s eyes squeezed shut, and a fresh wave of tears spilled out. Reiko took over, his movements methodical and strong, filling in the hole they had made. Rain watched, his body numb with pain.

When the last shovelful of earth was laid, Rain took the lead in patting down the soil. His hands were raw and sore, but he didn’t feel it. He just needed to make sure she was covered, safe from the horrors of the world she had become a part of.

They stood over the fresh grave, both lost in their own thoughts. Rain’s chest was tight with a mix of grief and regret. He felt like he had failed her in every way a son could. Reiko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We need to go, Rain," he said gently.

Rain nodded. “I know, just please give me a moment.” He replied, his voice cracking.

Reiko stepped back, giving Rain the space he needed. Rain took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to say to her. “Thank you…for everything, Maa. You were always there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.” He choked out the words, his voice trembling with emotion. “And i’m sorry for not being here when you needed me most….goodbye Maa, I love you so much.”

With one final, mournful look, Rain turned away from the grave and took Reiko’s offered hand. They both stood for a moment longer, the weight of what they had just done pressing down on them like a heavy blanket. “I’m tried…” Rain murmured. “Can we sleep here tonight?”

Reiko nodded, his own strength waning. “We can rest in your old room.”

They stumbled into the house, Rain led the way, his steps unsteady and unsure. They climbed the stairs, each step echoing through the silent house like a funeral march. Rain’s childhood room was a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind. It was untouched by the infection, a sanctuary of memories.

The bed was still made with the same blue comforter he had as a child. Rain lay down on it, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. The smell of dust and old memories filled his nostrils, bringing a small measure of comfort to his ravaged soul. Reiko limped over to the window, peeking through the curtains to ensure they were safe. Satisfied, he turned to Rain.

“Are you alright?” He asked, his voice a whisper in the stillness of the room. Rain nodded, but the tremor in his voice betrayed his true feelings. “I’ll be okay. Just need some rest.”

They both lay down on the bed, their bodies exhausted from the ordeal. Rain’s thoughts raced, images of his mother’s transformation and the fight to survive playing over and over in his head. Despite his physical exhaustion, sleep eluded him. Reiko, too, lay awake, his mind reeling from the horrors they had faced. The silence between them was palpable, filled with the unspoken words of comfort they both desperately needed.

Reiko wrapped his arm around Rain and pulled him closer, kissing his cheek softly. Rain’s body tensed at first, but then he relaxed into the embrace, feeling a warmth spread through him that had been absent for too long. They lay there, holding onto each other, both lost in their own thoughts of the woman they had just buried. Rain’s breathing grew shallower and his eyes grew heavy, but sleep remained elusive.

Every creak of the old house made Rain’s heart jump, his mind racing with images of more Vaternians breaking in. But as the hours ticked by, the only sounds were their muted breaths and the occasional distant wail of the wind. Rain’s mind began to drift, the edges of his thoughts blurring together until he was no longer in the present.

He saw himself as a child, playing in the very same room they were in now. He was laughing, playing with multiple stuffed animals, pretending to host a dinner party. Amara was in the doorway, smiling, her eyes filled with love and pride. “Having fun, Zeffy?” She asked.

Rain perked up and giggled. “Yeah, Maa. This is the best dinner party ever!” He heard his own voice, so much younger, so much more carefree.

Amara hummed in response, picking him up and spinning him around, before giving him a tight hug and setting him back down. Then, the image shifted, and she was standing over him, monstrous and ravenous, reaching for him with clawed hands. Rain’s eyes snapped open, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Reiko stirred beside him, his eyes scanning the room for threats. “You okay?” He asked, his voice filled with concern. Rain nodded, trying to push the nightmare aside.

“It was just a bad dream,” Rain whispered, his voice hoarse from crying.

Reiko squeezed his shoulder. “We’re safe for now, Rain. Try to get some sleep.”

But sleep didn’t come easy. Rain’s mind was a whirlwind of memories, each one more painful than the last. He saw himself as a child, hiding behind his mother’s skirts when he was scared. He saw her soothing his feverish brow, her gentle voice singing him to sleep. And then, the image of her as a monster, her eyes filled with hunger rather than love.

The room felt too small, too suffocating. Rain sat up, his heart racing. He needed air, needed to get away from the suffocating weight of his grief. He stumbled to the window, pushing the curtains aside to look out at the garden.

The sight of the freshly turned earth beneath the oak tree was like a punch to the gut. He could almost hear the echo of their shovels, see the lifeless form of his mother being lowered into the ground. Rain leaned his forehead against the cool glass, his breath fogging it up. "Why did it have to be like this?" He murmured to the night.

Reiko sat up, his eyes heavy with sleep. "Rain?" He called out, his voice thick with concern. Rain didn't turn around, couldn’t face the sympathy he knew would be in his eyes.

"I'm here," Rain whispered, his voice cracking. "Just couldn’t sleep."

Reiko pushed himself up, his injured leg protesting, and made his way over to Rain. He wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him into a sideways hug. Rain leaned into the embrace, his shoulders trembling. “I keep seeing her, Reiko,” Rain whispered. “I can’t get the image out of my head.”

Reiko hugged him tighter, burying his face in his neck. "I know it's hard," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "But we did what we had to."

Rain wiped his tears with his sleeve. “How did you do it?”

“Do what?” Reiko asked, his voice gentle.

“Get over your mothers death,” Rain clarified. “How did you manage to keep going after what happened to your parents?”

Reiko took a deep breath, his grip on Rain tightening slightly. “I didn’t, I never got the chance to really grieve them properly. Shao made me grow up so fast, the pain just became a part of me, something I learned to live with.”

Rain leaned into the warmth of Reiko’s embrace, his own pain reflected in his words. “I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know if I can live with this,” he murmured, his voice filled with despair.

“You can and you will, Rain. You’re strong, and you’re not alone.” Reiko’s voice was firm, his grip on Rain’s shoulder a reassuring anchor in the storm of his emotions.

Rain nodded, though he didn’t truly believe the words. The guilt and sorrow were too much to bear alone. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I just want it to be over," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Reiko pulled Rain closer, resting his chin on his shoulder. "We'll get through this together," he promised, his voice a warm balm on Rain's frayed nerves. “Come back to bed.”

They lay down again, the silence of the room pressing in around them. Rain’s eyes remained open, staring at the ceiling. The quiet was broken only by the distant howl of the wind outside and the steady rhythm of Reiko’s breathing beside him.

Rain’s thoughts swirled like leaves in a tornado. He couldn’t shake the feeling of his mother’s cold, lifeless body in his arms. He couldn’t forget the sound of the knife sinking into her skull. He felt like a monster himself, and the guilt was like a stone in his chest, crushing him.

Reiko's gentle snores beside him were the only thing that kept Rain tethered to reality. He knew he needed to rest, to heal, it was what his mother would have wanted. He brought the blanket up to his chin, trying to find some semblance of comfort in the cold room. Eventually, his eyelids grew heavy, and the world around him started to fade as he finally drifted off into a troubled sleep.

Chapter Text

The smell of blood filled the air as Tomas, Harumi, and Hanzo found themselves walking down an unknown tunnel, separated from everyone else due to the fire. It was dark and cold, the torches barley providing any relief from the chilling darkness.

"What's the plan?" Tomas panted, his heart racing as he glanced over his shoulder.

"We keep moving," Harumi said firmly, her eyes never leaving the path ahead. "We can't let them corner us."

Hanzo had a death grip on Tomas's hand, his little legs moving as fast as they could to keep up. "I'm scared," he murmured, his voice tight with fear.

Tomas gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "You're brave, Hanzo. We're going to get out of here together."

The tunnel grew narrower, the air thick with dust and the smell of damp earth. The only light came from the dim glow of their makeshift torches, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. They could hear the Vaternians' heavy wings flapping and echoing through the maze, growing louder with each passing moment.

"This way!" Harumi shouted, pulling them down a side passage. They sprinted down it, their footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The hissing grew fainter, giving them a brief respite from the immediate danger.

Tomas took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing pulse. "Do you know where we're going?"

"No," Harumi admitted, "but we have to find Kuai Liang and the others."

They turned another corner and found themselves face to face with two Vaternians, their red eyes gleaming in the torchlight. The creatures lunged at them, their teeth bared and claws outstretched. Without a moment's hesitation, Tomas pushed Hanzo behind him and swung his torch in a wide arc, catching the first creature in the face. It recoiled with a pained hiss, giving them enough time to slip past.

The second Vaternian was quicker, its claws raking through the air just as Tomas ducked. He felt its talons graze his armor, leaving a trail of scratched metal. Harumi stepped in, her katana slicing through the air in a blur, cutting the creature's attack short. It shrieked and stumbled back, giving them the opening they needed to sprint away.

"Keep running!" Tomas yelled, his voice bouncing off the cavernous walls.

They didn't look back, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they hurtled through the tunnels. The air grew colder and damper, hinting at a lower level.

"Do you smell that?" Tomas asked, sniffing the air.

Harumi nodded, slowing her pace slightly. "Decomposition? It smells horrible."

Tomas agreed, the stench reminding him of rotten meat. "It's definitely coming from somewhere down here."

They approached the source of the smell with caution, the darkness seeming to thicken around them. The hissing grew distant, replaced by a faint sound of dripping water. The tunnel opened up into a large chamber, the floor slick with moisture and the walls covered in a slimy green moss.

"Be careful," Harumi warned, her grip on her katana tightening.

Tomas nodded, his eyes scanning the room. The stench grew stronger, a nauseating mix of decay and mold. They stepped into the chamber, their boots squelching on the wet stone. The air was thick with the scent of something long dead.

Hanzo clutched Tomas's armor, his eyes wide with fear. "What is that smell?"

"I don't know," Tomas murmured, his own nose wrinkling in disgust. "But we need to find Kuai Liang."

The light from their torches danced across the chamber, revealing piles of bones and decaying matter scattered around the edges. In the center, a large pack of sleeping Vaternians lay huddled together, oblivious to the trio's presence. The stench was overwhelming, making it difficult to breathe without gagging.

They moved stealthily, trying not to disturb the sleeping monsters. Each step was calculated, their breaths held tight in their chests. Hanzo's eyes watered from the stench, but he remained silent, looking to Tomas and Harumi for guidance.

As they skirted the edge of the chamber, a soft groan echoed through the space. One of the Vaternians stirred, its eyes slowly opening to reveal the piercing red orbs. Tomas held his breath, his hand on the hilt of his knife, ready to draw it at the slightest provocation.

The creature lifted its head, sniffing the air before it locked eyes with them. A chilling hiss grew into a deafening roar as it bolted upright, jolting the others from their slumber.

Hanzo's demeanor cracked under the fear, letting out a sharp scream. The Vaternians swarmed to their feet, the chamber reverberating with their angry hisses. Their red eyes targeted the trio, reflecting the torchlight like twin flaming embers.

"Move!" Harumi yelled, pushing Hanzo and Tomas ahead.

The sleeping chamber had transformed into a hornet's nest of rage and flapping wings. The Vaternians took flight, their red eyes burning with fury as they homed in on the three interlopers.

Hanzo took out his small knife, his hands trembling as he tried to mimic the training the Shirai Ryu had thought him. He swung it in a wild arc, trying to keep the monsters at bay.

"This way!" Harumi called, pointing to a narrow opening on the far side of the chamber. They dashed towards it, the Vaternians closing in fast. The passage was tight, barely wide enough for them to squeeze through single-file.

Harumi went first, her katana held in front of her to protect their escape. Tomas followed closely, half-dragging Hanzo who was stumbling in his panic. He grabbed the child's hand, pushing him in front of him.

"Through here!" Tomas shouted, guiding Hanzo into the narrow opening.

Before Tomas could make his way through himself, a Vaternian made its mark and grabbed him by the shoulder, its claws digging deep into his armor and dragging him to the ground.

Hanzo's eyes grew wide with terror as he watched Tomas go down, the creature's weight pinning him to the ground. Without hesitation, the boy went for him, driving his small knife into the soft flesh beneath the creature's wing. It shrieked and released its grip, allowing Tomas to roll away and get to his feet.

"Go, now!" Tomas bellowed, pushing Hanzo ahead.

Hanzo hesitated. "No! I won't leave you!" He protested.

"You have to!" Tomas shouted back, drawing his knife with a metallic ring. "Get to Kuai Liang! I'll hold them off!"

Hanzo grabbed his wrist, refusing to let go. "We stay together!"

The Vaternians closed in, their hisses like a crescendo of evil intent. One swooped down, its wingtips brushing the stone floor. Tomas felt his heart drop as he forcefully pushed Hanzo away from the Vaternian's reach.

"Go, Hanzo!" he roared.

Hanzo hit the ground with a thud and a cry. Tomas's gaze flickered to him for a moment, but that moment was all the Vaternian needed to swoop him up and take a bite at his shoulder.

"Tomas!" Harumi's voice was a sharp knife in the air as she darted back to them, her katana flashing. She sliced through the creature's neck, the head rolling off and the body crumpling to the ground.

Tomas grimaced, gripping his shoulder where the creature had bitten him. The pain was intense, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He shoved Hanzo through the narrow opening and scrambled in after him.

"Keep going!" he yelled to Harumi, his voice strained. "Don't look back!"

The narrow passage grew even tighter, and Tomas felt his armor scraping against the moist walls. He could hear the Vaternians' leathery wings flapping furiously behind them, echoing through the tunnel. The stench grew stronger, hinting at a larger chamber up ahead.

They stumbled into an open space, the ceiling high and lost in darkness. Water trickled from somewhere above, creating a soft symphony of droplets hitting the floor. The air was thick with mist, obscuring their vision.

"Where are we?" Hanzo's voice was shaky, his eyes still wide with fear.

"A chamber," Tomas grunted, painfully assessing his shoulder. The wound burned with the effects of the creature's bite.

Hanzo noticed the bite and began to tear up. "Tomas, you're hurt!"

"It's not deep," Tomas lied, trying to ease the boy's worry.

Harumi took charge, her eyes searching the foggy chamber. "We need to find Kuai Liang. This way."

They stumbled through the mist, the sound of water droplets amplified by the echo. The air grew colder, the scent of damp earth and mildew filling their nostrils.

"Keep moving," Harumi whispered urgently, her katana at the ready. The mist parted briefly, revealing a glimpse of two tunnels going to opposite directions.

As they moved, Hanzo’s crying grew louder, echoing off the chamber walls. Thomas looked back at him. “We need to stay quiet, Hanzo. We don’t know what’s ahead of us.”

Hanzo sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry," he sobbed.

"It's okay," Tomas whispered, his voice filled with understanding.

“No it’s not,” Hanzo protested, his voice shaking. “You got hurt because of me…because I distracted you.”

Tomas crouched beside him, placing a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Hanzo. We're in this together. Now, we have to keep going, find Kuai Liang, and get out of here. Can you do that for me?”

The boy nodded, swiping at his tears with the back of his sleeve. “I’ll try,” he whispered.

Tomas managed a small smile despite the pain. “That’s all I ask. Now, stay close and stay quiet. We don’t know what’s up ahead, but we’re not out of this yet.”

They approached the tunnels cautiously, the Vaternians' shrieks growing distant but not absent. The echoes played tricks on their ears, making it impossible to gauge how far away the creatures were.

Tomas began to cough, the dampness and dust from the tunnel irritating his throat. His vision swam briefly, and he felt feverishness creeping into his body from the creature's bite.

"Which way?" Harumi asked, her eyes darting between the two tunnels.

Tomas took a deep breath, trying to ignore the throb in his shoulder. "No idea.” He answered honestly. He coughed again, his eyes widening as he saw specks of blood on his hand. In the heat of the morning, he grabbed Hanzo by the shoulders and pushed him ahead to the left tunnel. "Go," he ordered. "Don't stop running until you find Kuai Liang. I can't be around you."

"What?" Hanzo's eyes widened, but Tomas's expression was grim.

"Go," Tomas insisted, his voice a hoarse whisper. "You're not safe with me."

Hanzo's eyes filled with tears, but he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He took off down the left tunnel, his little legs pumping as fast as they could. Harumi watched him go for a second before turning to Tomas. “I can’t leave you.”

Tomas's eyes searched hers, and he gave her a firm nod. “You have to.” He insisted.

Harumi shook her head. “And then what do I tell my husband? That I just let his little brother die down here alone?”

Tomas coughed again, blood spattering on the stone floor. “I’ll hold them off. Get him to safety. That’s all that matters now.”

“But we don’t even know if the infection is spreading or if it’s just the pain talking!” Harumi protested, her voice thick with concern.

Tomas’s eyes met hers, and she saw the steely resolve within. “I can feel it, Haru. I’ve seen it before.”

Harumi stepped closer. “I won’t leave you.” She firmly stated as she helped him stand up straight.

Tomas nodded, understanding her loyalty. He gritted his teeth and managed to stand despite the pain. "If I don't make it, tell my brother... tell him I'm sorry."

"You will make it," she insisted, her voice firm. "Now, let's move."

They took the right tunnel, Tomas leaning heavily on Harumi, his steps unsteady. The sound of their boots on the wet stone was muffled as they walked down the misty tunnel into the unknown.

On the other side on the tunnels, Kuai Liang found himself alone, separated by the fire that had engulfed the chamber. He hustled down the maze-like paths, occasionally fighting off a Vaternian here and there.

"Tomas!" he shouted into the void. "Hanzo! Harumi!" His voice echoed, but only the distant screeches of the Vaternians responded.

Panic surged through him, but he pushed it down, focusing on the task at hand. He had to find them. The thought of his little brother and his wife in danger was more than he could bear.

Kuai Liang took a moment to listen, his heart racing in his chest. The hisses of the Vaternians grew louder from the left, so he turned right, hoping to cut them off.

The right tunnel was longer and narrower than the others they had encountered, and the floor grew slick with a slimy residue. The air grew colder as he smelt the faith scent of blood.

"Brother, can you hear me?" Kuai Liang's voice echoed through the tunnels, bouncing off the damp walls. "Harumi? Hanzo?"

No one responded, and Kuai Liang's heart sank with each step. The silence was only broken by the occasional drip of water and the squelch of his boots on the slick ground. The mist grew thicker, clinging to his skin like a chilly shroud.

He rounded a corner, and his heart leaped at the sight of a fresh bloody handprint on the wall. "This way," he murmured to himself, the fear for his family's safety fueling his legs. The handprint grew more frequent, the blood trail becoming a grim guide through the mist.

The air grew colder, and the smell of blood grew stronger, a mix of iron and the foul odor of the Vaternians. His heart raced, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. He made it to a small chamber and noticed a figure leaning on the wall. “Brother?” He called out, moving closer.

The figure turned around, and Kuai Liang’s heart dropped. It was Johnny. “Scorpion?” He murmured before coughing.

Kuai Liang took a step back, his heart dropping down from its euphoria. “Cage,” he replied softly, analyzing the blood on him. “Are you alright?”

Johnny’s eyes glazed over with tears. “It’s not my blood…” he answered, his voice shaking. The bite wound on his arm was concealed by his sleeve but his feverish state was a give away of his condition.

Kuai Liang’s gaze swept over the small chamber, searching for any signs of his family. His heart was racing, the fear for their safety gnawing at him like a wild beast. “Are you alone? Have you seen Tomas, Harumi, or Hanzo?” He asked.

Johnny shook his head slowly. “I’m with Mileena, Tanya, Syzoth, Ashrah, and…” he paused, still in denial. “They’re all in the next room over, I just needed some space.”

“What happened?” Kuai Liang’s voice was urgent, his eyes scanning the bloody handprints on the wall.

Johnny’s chest heaved with a heavy sigh. “I…don’t wanna talk about it…” he whispered, his eyes red rimmed and puffy.

Kuai Liang’s eyes searched Johnny’s for any clue. The man looked drained, his usual cocky facade replaced by a palpable despair. The blood on his clothes was not his own, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him. He gave him a look of sympathy before walking into the next room.

There was a single torch lighting up the small room as they group sat against the wall, their eyes snapping up to meet Kuai Liang's. “Kuai Liang!” Mileena exclaimed, standing up.

“Thank the gods you’re okay!” Tanya rushed over to him, her eyes scanning him for injuries.

Kuai Liang nodded tersely. “Have you seen Tomas, Harumi, or Hanzo?”

Mileena's expression grew solemn. "No, we became separated in the fire. We've been fighting our way through, hoping to everyone.

Kuai Liang's chest tightened. He looked around the room and raised an eyebrow. “Where’s Kenshi?” He questioned.

The room fell silent, and the tension grew so thick it could be cut with a knife. Realization dawned upon Kuai Liang quickly and he nodded slowly. “I see…”

Mileena sighed, picking up her weapons. “We should get a move on again,” she suggested, her voice strained. The group nodded in unison, the gravity of their situation pressing down upon them like a heavy burden.

As they began to move, Ashrah turned to Syzoth, glancing at his fingers. “You haven’t stopped fidgeting with your ring since Kenshi died.” She pointed out.

Syzoth looked down at his hand, surprised to find his ring spinning around his finger. “It’s just a nervous habit,” he murmured, stopping the motion.

“No, it’s more than that,” Ashrah said, her voice gentle but insistent. “What’s on your mind?”

Syzoth’s gaze was distant, lost in the flaming torches of the past. “When…Johnny was mourning Kenshi’s body, it just…it reminded me of my wife.” he spoke, his voice hollow.

Ashrah paused, her hand on Syzoth's arm. There were times she forgotten that he was still mourning the murder of his true love, the Zaterran she could never replace. “You miss her,” she said softly.

Syzoth nodded, his gaze focusing back on the present. “Every moment, every breath,” he admitted. “Her and my son...it’s like a wound that never heals, especially in the face of so much death and despair.”

Ashrah sighed and pulled Syzoth into a tight embrace, the warmth of her touch briefly breaking through his cold shell of grief. Syzoth tensed up for a moment before slowly returning the gesture, his eyes closing briefly before he pulled away from her, looking into her black eyes. “You know how much I care for you, Ashrah, but I’m…not ready to move on.” He admitted.

Ashrah felt her heart break at the rejection, but she understood. They all had their own battles to fight, and she knew she couldn't force someone to heal and love. She gave him a nod, a silent promise that she would be there for him when he was ready. The group moved on, their footsteps echoing through the tunnels like a solemn march.

The tension grew as the sound of distant Vaternian hisses grew clearer. They had to keep moving, keep fighting, for their loved ones and for their own lives. The tunnels grew narrower, the air colder, and the stench of the creatures grew stronger.

Mileena took the lead, her twin sais at the ready, her eyes sharp and focused. Tanya followed close behind, her staff in hand, her breathing steady and calm. Syzoth and Ashrah brought up the rear, ready to protect their comrades from any attack that might come from behind, Johnny walked slowy behind, still looking distraught and lost, his eyes never leaving the floor while the veins around where Kenshi had bitten him were turning black.

They moved quickly, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the stone walls, mixing with the distant hisses of the Vaternians. Kuai Liang’s thoughts raced as he followed the group. His thoughts racing with hundreds of scenarios that could be happening to his brother and wife. And Hanzo being so young…even younger than Tomas when he was first adopted by Kuai Liang’s father. He remembered it clear as day, his father calling him and Bi-Han into the room, introducing them to their new little brother.

The memory brought a ghost of a smile to his face, but it was quickly wiped away by the reality of their current situation. The tunnel grew narrower, and Kuai Liang had to duck to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling. The air grew colder, and the mist grew thicker, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead.

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the tunnels, making the hairs on the back of Kuai Liang's neck stand on end. It was a sound of pure terror and agony, a sound that sent a shiver down his spine. He knew that voice.

"Harumi?!" Kuai Liang roared, the sound of her scream piercing the silence. His heart hammered in his chest as he bolted down the tunnel, ignoring the pain in his knees.

Mileena’s eyes widened, reaching out her hand. “Kuai Liang!” She called out, but he was already gone, sprinting down the corridor towards the source of the scream.

Her hand fell to her side and she shared a concerned look with the others. Syzoth narrowed his eyes. “I’ll go after him, you guys find the way back.” He said firmly, not waiting for anyone’s response.

Ashrah looked at him with worry and love in her eyes as he ran out of sight, then turned to the others. "We have to go," she insisted, her voice echoing in the chamber. “They’ll find us again.”

The group took off, their steps echoing through the tunnels. The scream grew fainter, but Kuai Liang’s resolve only strengthened. He knew that voice, and he knew the fear that laced it. It was Harumi, and she was in trouble.

Chapter Text

Hanzo ran through the damp tunnels, tears streaming down his face as he clutched the hilt of his small knife. He didn't dare look back, afraid of what he might see. He didn’t know where he was running to, only that he had to keep going, had to find help for Tomas and Harumi.

“Kuai Liang?” He called out into the darkness, his voice echoing off the slick walls. The mist thickened, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. “Tomas? Haru?”

The only response was the distant hiss of Vaternians, growing fainter as he moved away from the chamber. Hanzo’s chest tightened, his legs feeling like lead weights. He stumbled, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

He leaned against the wall, exhausted and lost. His eyes searched the mist, trying to find any sign of his friends. The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant drip of water. He looked at a small blood stain on the stones. It was fresh, it looked like the one Tomas left when he leaned against the wall as well. “I went in a circle,” he murmured to himself, fear gnawing at his heart.

He decided to take the tunnel that Tomas went down, his little heart pounding in his chest. The blood trail grew faint, but he could still make out the smeared handprints on the stones. It was a grim trail, but it was the only path that gave him hope.

Hanzo’s legs burned with fatigue, but fear for his friends pushed him onward. The coldness in the air grew more pronounced, making him shiver. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to warm up, his eyes never leaving the ground.

As he stumbled through the narrow corridor, he noticed a door ajar in the distance. The light from a flickering torch on the wall danced through the crack, casting eerie shadows on the floor. With a deep breath, Hanzo slowly crept closer.

He heard the sounds of growling and something dripping and his heart raced. He got closer and he heard what sounded like an animal eating something. His hand clutched the knife tightly, sweat slipping down his palm. He knew he had to be brave. He had to be strong like Tomas. He grasped the handle and opened the door with a loud creak.

The sight that greeted him was a sight that no child should ever have to bear witness to. In the flickering torchlight, he saw the deformed figure of Tomas feasting on a mangled corpse, the victim's armor torn to shreds. Tomas’s hands were bloodied as he tore out the intestines, his eyes glazed over with an unnatural hunger. He ripped out chunks of flesh, his teeth tearing through it with an inhuman ferocity.

Hanzo screamed, dropping his knife and stumbling backward, his eyes wide with horror. Tomas’s head snapped up, his teeth stained red, his eyes flashing with the same blackness that had consumed the infected. He looked at Hanzo, his mouth full of gore, and let out a guttural growl.

Hanzo stole a glance at the body and realized with a choked whimper that it was Harumi. Her lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling, her katana discarded beside her. The sight was too much for him to bear, and he turned to run, sobs tearing through his throat.

But Tomas was faster, his movements no longer those of a man, but of the creature that had bitten him. He lunged for Hanzo, his teeth snapping like a wild animal's. Hanzo stumbled and fell, his breath coming in short bursts as he scrabbled away from the monster that had been his mentor. “Get away from me!”

Tomas’s eyes, once filled with kindness and wisdom, now bore into Hanzo with a primal hunger. His hand shot out, claws extending from his fingertips, and he swiped at the terrified boy. Hanzo rolled away just in time, the claws slicing through the air where he had been.

Hanzo ran down the tunnel, his legs trembling with fear and grief. The image of Tomas consumed by the Vaternian infection was burned into his mind. He had to tell Kuai Liang, had to get help. He could hear the creature’s heavy breathing and the scraping of its claws behind him, but he didn’t dare look back.

The tunnel grew colder, the mist thickening until he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face. He felt like he was lost in a nightmare, unable to escape the relentless pursuer. The sound of his own panicked breathing and the thud of his heart in his chest were his only companions.

He continued to run until he was met with a wall to his face, he had reached a dead end. “No, no, no!” Hanzo whimpered, feeling the hot breath of the creature behind him. He felt the cold stone against his back, and his eyes grew wide with terror as the shadows grew closer. He curled into the corner, knees up to his chest, and whispered a prayer.

The creature stepped into the light, and Hanzo saw the unmistakable figure of Tomas, now a twisted mockery of his former self. The boy’s eyes filled with tears as he stared at the monster that had once been his hero. “Tomas, please,” he whispered, his voice shaking.

Tomas wiped the blood from his mouth, smearing it across his face, and took a step closer to Hanzo, his eyes never leaving the trembling child. "Hanzo," he growled, the voice barely recognizable as his own.

The creature took another step closer, and Hanzo felt his heart racing in his chest. "Tomas, please," he pleaded, his voice shaking. "Don't do this."

Tomas knelt at the boy's level. “Shhh, it’s ok,” he cooed. “It’s me.” He reached out a hand, but his movements were jerky and unpredictable.

Hanzo stared at the hand, the claws at the tip of Tomas’s fingers glinting in the torchlight. He knew he had to get away. He scooted back as much as he could into the corner, his eyes never leaving Tomas.

“You’re not Tomas anymore,” Hanzo whispered, his voice trembling.

The creature paused, a flicker of confusion crossing its face before the hunger returned. It lunged forward, and Hanzo felt the sharp pain as the claws sliced into his arm. He screamed, the sound echoing through the tunnel.

The creature’s grip tightened, and Hanzo knew he had only moments. With a surge of adrenaline, he kicked out, connecting with Tomas's chest and pushing him back. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes searching for an escape. He ran back down the tunnel, the creature's hisses and growls growing louder.

Tomas let out a laugh that was more of a snarl as the sound of his bones snapping filled the misty air. “Run, run, run as fast as you can!” He taunted, his movements erratic as his body twisted and contorted.

Hanzo didn’t need another warning. He bolted down the tunnel, the creature's footsteps echoing after him. The pain in his arm was intense, but fear for his life was a greater motivator. He heard the creature gaining on him and pushed himself to go faster, ignoring the warmth of blood trickling down his side.

Tears fell down his cheeks as he ran, Harumi was dead and Tomas was gone. The creature that chased him was all that remained of his once-trusted mentor. The tunnel grew narrower, the air colder. His heart felt like it would burst from his chest as he heard the creature’s inhumanly fast steps closing in.

He had seen a few people get their insides ripped out brutally in the past few days, but it never got easier to watch. It was something he had hoped never to experience again, but the sight of Harmui, the woman who he looked up to as a mother, lying there lifeless on the floor with her intestines hanging out was too much. Hanzo felt the bile rise in his throat, and he had to force it back down, knowing he didn’t have the luxury to be sick now.

Suddenly, the tunnel branched out into a larger chamber. Hanzo's eyes scanned the room, searching for an escape. To his right, there was a small opening in the wall, he would have to crawl on his belly, but it was better than facing Tomas. He took a deep breath and made a run for it.

As he reached the opening, Tomas’s clawed hand shot out, grabbing his ankle and yanking him back. Hanzo felt the fabric of his pants rip as he tried to pull away, but the creature’s grip was too strong. He kicked and struggled, his cries of fear and pain echoing off the walls.

The creature’s jaws snapped at him, a mere inch away from his face. Hanzo’s heart felt like it would explode from his chest. “Tomas, please!” he screamed again, tears blurring his vision.

Tomas’s claws ripped at his uniform as Hanzo thrashed and kicked, trying to break free. The creature’s eyes were alight with a ravenous hunger, and its breath was hot and foul against his skin. Hanzo’s hand scraped against the rough stone floor, searching desperately for anything to use as a weapon.

But as his small hand came across nothing on the floor, he realized he was helpless. He curled into the fetal position, preparing for the end. Tomas’s grip tightened on his leg, and he felt the cold claws digging into his flesh.

“Tomas, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!” Hanzo wailed.

The creature paused for a moment, something flickering in its eyes, a hint of recognition, maybe even regret. Hanzo saw it as a last chance and took a deep breath, mustering the strength he didn’t know he had. He swung his free leg up with all his might and kicked Tomas in the face. The creature stumbled back with a snarl, momentarily disoriented.

Ignoring the searing pain in his arm, Hanzo wriggled into the small opening and began to crawl through the tight space. The rocks and dirt scraped his skin, but he didn’t care. He had to get away. Behind him, he heard the creature’s enraged roar as it tried to fit its mutated body through the gap.

“No! No! No! You’re not getting away!” Tomas shrieked, his black eyes filled with rage as he swiped aimlessly into the hole. “I’ll find you and feast on your fucking heart, you little shit!”

Hanzo pushed himself through the opening, his knees and elbows bruising against the jagged stones. He didn’t dare look back. The creature’s furious hisses grew fainter, and the light from the torches dimmed. He was in a smaller, unexplored part of the tunnels, filled with cobwebs and the smell of decay. The darkness was absolute, but it was a welcome embrace compared to the horror of the chamber.

He felt like he was crawling in a cave with how little space there was above him. The walls were wet and slimy, and the smell of mold grew stronger. The pain in his arm was intense, but fear pushed him to keep moving. The tunnel grew narrower, and he had to wiggle his way through, his breaths shallow and fast.

He wasn’t able to see his own hands in front of him, but he felt the sticky cobwebs cling to his skin as he inched forward. The panic grew with each movement, his heart thudding in his chest like a drum. The darkness was disorienting, and he had no idea where he was heading. The only thing that kept him going was the hope of escaping Tomas’s monstrous grip.

But as he wiggled and crawled deeper, rocks hugged his hips and the smell of rot grew stronger. He had to push through the tight space, feeling like he was being swallowed by the earth itself. His breathing grew shallower, his chest tightening as the walls closed in. The cobwebs grew denser, and he could feel the sticky strands sticking to his sweaty face, the spiders scurrying away from his frantic movements. Panic began to set in as he realized he was stuck.

With a cry of fear and desperation, he kicked his legs uselessly, trying to free himself from the tight rocks that trapped him. “Please, no!” Hanzo’s voice was muffled by the earth surrounding him. The pain in his arm was a dull throb compared to the claustrophobia that gripped him. The darkness pressed in on him, suffocating, and he felt a cold sweat break out across his forehead.

He was trapped in a forgotten tunnel, in pitch black, with no one to save him…

He lay there, as if he had any other option, and began to cry like the helpless child he was. “Kuai Liang, where are you?” His voice was muffled by the earth, but he knew no one could hear him. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he murmured to himself, his voice cracking with each repetition. He didn’t know what he was apologizing for, maybe for being weak, for getting them into this mess, for not being able to save Haru, or for not being able to escape Tomas, or maybe him being the reason Tomas got bitten in the first place.

The sobs grew louder in the confined space, and he felt his breathing get more erratic. The walls felt like they were closing in on him, and he couldn’t help but feel like he was going to die here, alone in the dark, surrounded by the cold embrace of the earth. He felt the sticky cobwebs cling to his face and neck, and the thought of spiders crawling over him made his skin crawl.

He was only a child, a baby… he was not meant for this. Hanzo’s breaths grew quicker, his heart racing like a stampede. He was going to die here. The creature, Tomas, would find him, and he would be like Haru. No, he couldn’t let that happen. He had to keep moving, had to get away.

Summoning the last of his strength, he pushed against the rocks with his uninjured arm and kicked with his legs. The stones above him groaned, and dirt rained down, but the space grew larger. He wiggled and squirmed, his uniform ripping more as he desperately fought to get free. His arm was on fire, but he ignored it. He had to live. He had to survive.

Finally, with a grunt, he broke free from the rock’s hold, landing with a thump on a cold, hard floor. The tunnel had opened up into a larger space, and he could see a faint light in the distance. Hope surged through him like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the pain that shot through his body.

The light came from more torches, but they were farther apart, their flickers dancing shadows on the walls like grotesque puppets. The air grew colder, and Hanzo’s heart sank as he realized he was still lost and alone.

But wait, there was something else. He heard it faintly, a soft sound, almost like whispering. It was faint, but it grew louder as he approached the end of the tunnel. He squinted into the darkness, trying to make out what lay ahead.

As he reached the light, he saw a figure standing there, silhouetted by the flickering torches. It was Kuai Liang, his eyes wide with shock at the sight of the bloodied, terrified boy who stumbled towards him. “Hanzo?” He called out, his voice a mix of relief and horror.

Hanzo didn’t bother with words, he just threw himself into Kuai Liang’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Kuai Liang held him tightly, his mind racing with questions. “What happened?” He whispered into the child’s ear. Hanzo couldn’t speak, his chest heaving with sobs.

Kuai Liang gently stroked Hanzo’s hair, his heart racing at the sight of his blood-soaked arm and the raw terror etched into the boy’s eyes. “Shh, you’re ok now,” he murmured, trying to comfort him. Hanzo’s body trembled in his embrace, the sobs slowly subsiding into hiccups.

He scanned the boy’s bloodied arm, it was deep, but not life-threatening if they could get it cleaned and bandaged soon. “What happened?”

Hanzo took a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tomas... he... he ate Harumi…” he wailed, burying his face in Kuai Liang’s chest. “And- and he’s trying to eat me too!”

Kuai Liang felt his heart drop, the color draining from his face as he took in the horror of Hanzo’s words. “Ha…Harumi is…?”

Hanzo nodded, his body still shaking with sobs. “Yes, and Tomas, he’s not human anymore,” he managed to say between gasps. “He’s one of them. He’s coming for me!”

Kuai Liang began to tremble as he processed the news. Haru was gone, and Tomas, his own brother, had succumbed to the Vaternian infection. He didn’t want to believe it, he and Harumi were only married for a few weeks…and now, she’s gone?

He looked at Hanzo with a mix of pity and resolve, the reality of the situation setting in. “Can you walk?”

Hanzo nodded, his sobs subsiding to hiccups. “I-I think so,” he stuttered, his voice shaky.

“Good,” Kuai Liang said firmly, his expression hardening. “I’ll get you out of here.” He scooped Hanzo up into his arms, cradling the trembling child.

Hanzo buried his face into Kuai Liang’s shoulder, his body still convulsing with the aftershocks of fear. “I wanna go home,” he whimpered.

Kuai Liang’s jaw clenched as he tightened his grip on the child. “We will, I promise you, Hanzo. We’ll get out of here together, and I’ll take care of Tomas.” His eyes were filled with a cold determination that didn’t quite match the gentle tone of his voice.

Footsteps grew louder behind them and Kuai Liang spun around to see Syzoth, his eyes filled with confusion and concern at the sight of the trembling young boy. “What happened to him?”

“Tomas...” was all Hanzo could murmur, his voice still thick with fear.

“It’s okay, he’s not going to get you,” Kuai Liang assured him, his voice firm. He turned to Syzoth and sighed. “Here, take him back to the others and get out of here.”

Syzoth nodded, his gaze flickering with understanding. He took Hanzo from Kuai Liang’s arms, holding him tight. “Come on, little one, we need to get you to safety,” he said, his tone gentle despite the gravity of the situation. “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll handle Tomas,” Kuai Liang said, his voice low and lethal. He didn’t bother to elaborate, and Syzoth knew better than to argue. He turned and began to jog back down the tunnel.

Hanzo clung to him. “Is he going to be ok?” He asked the Zaterran.

Syzoth looked down at him, his gaze softening. “I don’t know, but you’re safe now,” he promised. He held him tight, for the fear of losing another child weighing heavily on his shoulders. He could feel the tremors in Hanzo’s body, the poor boy’s heart racing like a rabbit’s.

They moved quickly through the tunnels, Hanzo’s head buried into Syzoth’s broad chest, muffling his whimpers. The Zaterran’s mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. The thought of Tomas, his friend, turning into one of those monsters was too much to bear. He had to get Hanzo to the others, had to get him safe. He wasn’t going to lose another child. 

The journey back to the group was a blur of torchlit tunnels and shadows that danced on the walls. Each step echoed through the corridors, a haunting reminder of their desperate escape. When they reached the chamber where the others were waiting, the group looked up in alarm at the sight of Hanzo’s condition.

“What happened?” Tanya rushed to them, her eyes wide with fear as she took in the bloodstained uniform and the deep wound on the boy’s arm.

Syzoth didn’t dare speak, his voice choking with anger and grief. He gently placed Hanzo in her arms, and she held him close, whispering soothing words as she inspected the injury. The boy’s eyes were glazed over with shock, but he was alive.

“Tomas... he’s not... he’s one of them now,” Hanzo stuttered, his voice barely audible. The room fell silent as the gravity of his words settled in. Tanya’s eyes filled with tears as she looked from the terrified child to the grim determination etched on Syzoth’s face.

Kuai Liang stayed behind in the other chamber. His mission was clear: wait for Tomas and end him…it was going to be cruel, but it was necessary. The creature that was once his brother had to be stopped. The air was thick with tension as he listened for any sign of movement.

“Brother?” He called out into the darkness, his voice echoing through the chamber. The only reply was the distant hiss of torches and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling. Kuai Liang’s eyes searched the shadows, his heart heavy with the burden of what he had to do. The thought of killing Tomas was like a knife twisting in his gut, but he knew there was no other way. “Brother, I’m here. Please, come to me,” he whispered, trying to keep the tremor of fear and sorrow from his voice.

Silence.

The echo of Kuai Liang's voice reverberated through the chamber, bouncing off the damp stones like a ghostly plea. “Tomas.” He called out again, trying a different approach. “It’s Kuai Liang. Come out of the shadows and talk, please, Tomas. I don’t want to fight you.”

The silence was deafening. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows that danced around him, playing tricks on his eyes. Kuai Liang's heart was hammering in his chest, but he remained still, listening intently for any hint of movement. He sighed in defeat, drowning out the sound of skittering above him from the shadows…

Chapter Text

The smell of herbs and chemicals filled the stone-walled dungeons as Shang Tsung rested his head on the old wooden desk, his hair snaking around his tired face. He had been at work for hours, mixing potions and studying scrolls, trying to find a cure for the Vaternian infection. The candlelight flickered off his sweat-drenched forehead, casting shadows over the pages of ancient texts.

Liu Kang stepped in, holding a canister of water. “Any progress?” He asked.

Shang Tsung looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “How about a ‘how are you?’” He quipped, trying to lighten the tension. “I’m exhausted, but no, nothing yet.”

Liu Kang’s expression was solemn. “We need to find something soon. More people are falling to it every day.”

Shang Tsung nodded, taking the canister from him. “I am well aware.” He replied with an eye roll.

He took a long sip of water, feeling the coldness run down his throat and rejuvenate him. He glanced back down at his work, his eyes scanning the page for a clue he might have missed. “The Vatenrians have existed for centuries…yet we know so little about them.”

Liu Kang crossed his arms. “These ones are different…they have to be.”

Shang Tsung rubbed his eyes. “Whatever it is, it's a nuisance.”

Liu Kang nodded in agreement. “We must find a cure before it’s too late for everyone.”

Shang Tsung stood up, his back popping as he stretched. “I need a break from this. My eyes are playing tricks on me,”

Liu Kang sighed. “Take one. You’ve been at it for hours.“ He watched as Shang Tsung nodded and set aside his work.

In the quiet of the chamber, a distant scream pierced the air, sending a shiver down both of their spines. They rushed out of the cell and into the main room.

Li Mei set down her notepad. “What was that?” She asked, her eyes wide.

Shao’s face was grim as he grabbed his axe. “Sounds like trouble.”

Liu Kang tilted his head in the direction of the sound. “Could be one of the others. Let’s go check it out.”

They made their way down the stone corridors, and the echoes of the screams grew closer. They could feel the tension in the air thickening, and the candle flames flickered wildly as if in anticipation of the horror they were about to face.

When they turned the corner, they saw the rest of the group scrambling through the hidden door that led to the tunnels. The air was thick with panic and the smell of fear.

“What’s going on?” Liu Kang called out, his voice echoing through the corridor.

Tanya rushed over, Hanzo in her arms. “We tried to take a shortcut through the tunnels,” she explained with exhaustion. “…turns out Vaternians are there as well.”

Shang Tsung’s expression grew grim. “How many?”

“Enough to be a problem!” Mileena interjected, her eyes flashing with fear. “They’re everywhere, and all of the supplies we found got destroyed!”

Shao slowly lowered his axe. “Did you see Reiko at all?” He asked, his voice low.

Mileena shook her head. “No, didn’t see him or Rain.”

Liu Kang looked over the group, noticing a few new faces but one was missing. He narrowed his eyes. “Where’s Kenshi?” He questioned, a hint of concern in his tone.

Johnny stepped forward, his tired face filled with tear tracks that cut through the dirt and blood. “He’s gone…” he whispered, his voice cracking.

Liu Kang’s eyes widened, his heart dropping at the news. “I- I’m so sorry, Johnny,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. He turned away, trying to compose himself. They had to keep moving, keep fighting.

Johnny angrily wiped away his tears. “It’s alright…” he muttered “I’ll just…get this wound checked out.” he walked away from the group. The loss was too much to handle. Liu Kang watched him go, his heart heavy with the weight of their collective grief.

Tanya set Hanzo down on a table, gently peeling off his shredded sleeve to expose the deep bite wound. "How much pain are you in?” She asked him.

Hanzo looked up at her with a tremble in his voice. "I-it hurts a lot, but I’ll be okay," he lied. The pain was unbearable, but he didn’t want to be a burden more than he already thought he was.

Tanya gave him a sad smile, knowing he was trying to be brave. "You’re going to be just fine," she assured him, though her eyes were filled with doubt.

Liu Kang looked down at Hanzo. “The Shirai Ryu got my message,” he pointed out. “Where is the rest of them?”

Ashrah spoke up. “I ran into them on their way to Outworld, we grouped but a fire separated all of us,” she explained. “Tomas is infected, and I believe Harumi is…” Her voice trailed off as the reality of her words hit her. The room grew even quieter than before.

Liu Kang’s blood ran cold. More Earthrealm warriors are dead. He could feel the weight of each loss, a heavy stone adding to the burden he already carried. He looked over to where Johnny had disappeared, knowing the pain he was feeling was shared by them all. But there was no time for mourning, not yet.

Shang Tsung grabbed a bottle of antiseptic. “This might sting,” he warned Hanzo with feigned concern, but Syzoth slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch him.” Syzoth’s voice was a low growl, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Shang Tsung raised an eyebrow. “I'm only trying to help.” He smirked.

Syzoth pushed him out of the way. “You’re not touching him. I’ll do it.” He took the antiseptic from the sorcerer’s hand, his gaze never leaving Hanzo’s.

Shang Tsung stepped back, his smirk fading into a scowl. "Fine," he snapped, turning back to his potions.

Syzoth’s eyes softened as he carefully tended to the child’s wound. “Are you okay?” He murmured, his voice gentle as he applied antiseptic over the bite mark.

Hanzo cried out as the antiseptic stung his skin, his eyes watering. "Ow," he whimpered, trying to hold back his tears.

"Sorry," Syzoth apologized, his thumb brushing over the wound with surprising tenderness. "But we have to clean it."

Hanzo looked around the dungeon, his eyes wide with fear and pain. The flickering candlelight danced across the worried faces of his comrades, casting long, eerie shadows on the stone walls. The scent of blood and fear mingled with the herbs, creating a pungent cocktail that made his stomach turn. Despite the warmth of Syzoth’s hand, he couldn’t help but shiver.

His eyes landed on the cells that harbored the infected ones. Kitana’s broken body lay in one of them, her once graceful form now twitching and contorted as she made eye contact with him, her white, lifeless eyes piercing his soul.

Kung Lao was in the second cell, his skin now a sickly grey color as dark crimson blood made its way down his hollowed cheeks. But the most creepy aspect was his smile. It was a smile that didn’t belong on the face of a human…it was a twisted grin, a mockery of happiness, one that could only belong to a creature that had lost all semblance of sanity.

However, the third cell was a more comforting sight. Raiden, although still in pain from his amputation, was resting peacefully. His brown hair greasy from sweat, his body covered in bruises and dirt, but his eyes were clear, and there was no sign of the infection.

Hanzo noticed his missing arm, his thoughts racing. “What happened to his arm?” He asked, his voice shaking.

Liu Kang took a deep breath. “It was a mistake,” he answered, his voice tight. “He thought he had the infection, turns out only Vaternains themselves can infect others, not the mindless followers.”

Hanzo’s expression eased down. “So… I'm not gonna turn into one of those?” He pointed to Kitana’s cell, his voice shaking.

Syzoth’s gaze flickered to Kitana before returning to Hanzo’s eyes. “No, not if we can help it.” He reassured him firmly.

Once the wound was patched, Tanya wiped the blood and dirt from Hanzo’s face with a damp cloth. “Are you hungry?”

Hanzo nodded. The last time he had eaten was before they had arrived in Outworld, and it felt like forever ago. “A bit,” he admitted, his voice still shaky from the pain.

Syzoth helped him off the table. “We’ll get you something to eat,” he promised, leading him over to an empty cell. “Rest here.”

Hanzo nodded gratefully and lay down on the cold stone bench, his eyes drifting closed almost immediately. “Thank you.”

Syzoth smiled. “You’re welcome.” He stepped back, watching Hanzo with a protective gaze as he drifted off to sleep. He thought back to the days when he would tuck his own son into bed, and the pain of his loss stabbed at him like a knife. But he couldn’t let it consume him now.

The group gathered around a makeshift table, their faces a mix of anger and desperation. They had to come up with a plan, and fast.

“We’re going to starve down here at this rate.” Li Mei spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. She was right, their food supply was dwindling and the fire that had separated them had also taken most of their resources.

Mileena stepped forward. “The surface isn’t safe,” she warned, her eyes flicking towards the door. “They’re everywhere out there. If we go up again, we’re as good as dead.”

Shao narrowed his eyes. “What other choice do we have?” He bellowed. “We can’t sit here and wait!”

Shang Tsung looked up from his work. “I have an idea,” he said, his voice tentative.

Liu Kang turned to him. “Go on,” he urged.

Shang Tsung took a deep breath. “Down in my laboratory when I was experimenting on some Vaternians, I noticed that they were practically stronger and more resistant than your average one.” He paused, his eyes scanning the group.

“What’s your point?” Li Mei snapped, impatience etched on her face.

Mileena’s head perked up. “An invasion…” she murmured, piecing together the puzzle in her mind. “When we were out scavenging, they were Vaternains that were attacking smaller and weaker ones.”

Shang Tsung nodded. “They’re not just mindless killers anymore. They’ve developed a hierarchy, a leader perhaps.” He continued. “Just like before…a timeline invasion.”

Liu Kang’s eyes widened as he considered the implications. "How could I have not noticed this before?…” he murmured to himself. He looked up. “I must talk with Geras, he might have information regarding this threat.” He turned to the group. “Stay here, I’ll be back shortly.” He walked out of the chamber, his heart racing as he navigated the dimly lit corridors.

The silence that followed was filled with the crackling of the torches that lined the walls and the distant sound of something moving in the shadows. The air was tense with anticipation and fear.

Johnny had retreated to a cell in the corner of the room, his eyes red and swollen from crying. He leaned against the cold stone, his arms wrapped around his midsection as if trying to keep himself from falling apart. His bite was now wrapped up, a flimsy attempt to heal himself.

Tanya walked over, holding a tray of food for the group. “You should eat something.” She offered.

“I'm not hungry,” Johnny mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tanya’s gaze softened. “Johnny, you need to keep your strength up.”

Johnny looked at her, his eyes brimming with anger. “Why bother?” He snapped. “We’re all just gonna die down here anyway.”

Tanya’s expression was one of sadness. “You don’t believe that,” she responded. “Kenshi wouldn’t want you to give up.”

Johnny glared at her, his grief-stricken eyes reflecting in the flickering torchlight. "Don’t you dare talk to me about Kenshi!" he shouted, pushing himself away from the wall. "You’re the one who bashed his head in!"

Tanya's expression didn’t waver. "It was mercy," she said softly. "We had no other choice."

Johnny's anger grew, his fists clenching at his sides. "No choice? We had plenty of choices, and you chose to leave him down here like some kind of monster!"

Mileena stepped in between them. “Back off of her, Johnny,” she warned, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger. “We’re all on the same side here.”

Johnny took a deep breath, his shoulders dropping. “Sorry,” he muttered, taking a step back. “It’s just... I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Tanya nodded. “I know. We all feel the same way, but we have to stay strong for him and each other. Kenshi would have wanted that.” She placed some food in his hands before dropping off some food for Hanzo.

Johnny took the food reluctantly, his eyes not leaving Tanya’s until she had moved away. The anger was still there, but so was the sadness. He knew she was right, but it was hard to accept.

On the other side of the room, Shao was pacing back and forth, seething with anger. Li Mei raised an eyebrow. “You got something on your mind, General?” She asked, not looking up from her notes.

Shao stopped, his eyes narrowing. “I'm fine.” He spat.

“You’re not fine,” Li Mei retorted, setting her notepad aside. “You’re worried about Reiko.” She knew Shao well enough to read the storm brewing beneath his stoic exterior.

Shao turned to her, his jaw tightening. “Worried?” He scoffed. “I’m not worried like I'm some heartbroken father, I’m furious that he went off on a fool's errand despite me forbidding it.”

Li Mei’s eyes were calm as she studied him. “You care for him, Shao. It’s alright to admit it.”

Shao’s expression remained stoic. “I care for all of my men.”

Li Mei gave him a knowing smile. “Reiko is different.”

“No, he isn’t. He’s second in command, and he should know better!” Shao’s voice echoed through the chamber.

Li Mei raised an eyebrow. “Is that all he is to you?”

Shao’s expression was unreadable. “What else could he be?”

Li Mei shrugged. “A son, perhaps?”

Shao’s eyes flashed with anger before he turned away. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s just a warrior under my command.” But Li Mei could see the lie in his posture, though she decided to not press any further, returning to her work.

Hanzo tossed and turned on the cold stone bench, his sleep plagued by nightmares of the Vatenrians. He could almost feel their icy breath on his neck and the pain of their bites. With a gasp, he bolted upright, his eyes darting around the room in a panic. His heart hammered against his chest as he realized it was just a dream. He looked around, his eyes adjusting to the dim light.

The others were busy, some tending to their weapons, others discussing strategies in hushed tones. Syzoth was at the door, his eyes scanning the corridor with a watchful gaze. He looked over at the food Tanya had left him and eagerly took a bite, his stomach rumbling from hunger. The bread was stale, but it tasted like the sweetest meal he had ever had.

He looked over at the cell Raiden was resting in and decided to toddle over, the need for companionship stronger than his fear. He approached the bed, noticing that Raiden's chest was rising and falling steadily. He was sleeping, which was a good sign. Hanzo took a seat beside him, feeling the warmth of the champion’s presence somewhat comforting. He took another bite of his bread and chewed slowly, his eyes wandering over the room.

Mileena and Shao were discussing something in the corner, their expressions intense. Syzoth was leaning against the wall, his eyes closed but his posture alert, listening to every word exchanged in the room. Tanya and Li Mei were working together, going over a map spread out on a table, their heads bent in deep concentration.

A rustle on the bed made Hanzo jump, almost dropping his bread. Raiden’s eyes fluttered open, a hint of pain crossing his face as he took in his surroundings. He noticed Hanzo and blinked in confusion. “H-Hanzo?” He croaked. “What are you doing here?”

Hanzo looked down at him. “I-I came to help Outworld with Kuai Liang but…” He trailed off, his eyes filling with tears again. “We were attacked.” He pointed to his bandaged arm.

Raiden nodded weakly, understanding. “How’s everyone else?” He asked, his eyes scanning the room.

Hanzo took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. “…uh, Kenshi and Harumi died…and Tomas was infected…”

Raiden’s face grew grim as he digested the news. “By the Gods…” he murmured, his eyes closing briefly in a silent prayer. He slowly got out of bed, the covers falling away to reveal more of his missing limb.

Hanzo tilted his head. “Your arm was cut off?” He asked, his voice filled with innocent curiosity.

Raiden huffed, remembering the chaos. "It's a long story," he said, his voice filled with exhaustion. "But yeah, it was cut off for no reason.”

Hanzo looked at him, his eyes wide with shock. "Does it hurt?" He whispered, not knowing how to react.

Raiden sighed. "Only when I move it," he replied with a weak smile. "But I'll be okay."

Johnny looked over at the two of them, his anger momentarily forgotten as he saw Raiden’s arm. “You’re up.” He said with surprise.

Raiden nodded, gritting his teeth as he stood up, his face pale from the pain. “For now,” he murmured.

Syzoth opened his eyes and stepped forward. “You need to rest,” he reminded.

Raiden shook his head. “I'm tired of lying down.” He exclaimed.

Syzoth looked down at Hanzo. “What are you doing out of bed, little one?” He asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Hanzo shrugged, clutching his bread. “Couldn’t sleep,” he said around a mouthful. “And I was hungry.”

Raiden managed a chuckle, his eyes warm despite the pain. “You’re a tough kid, aren’t you?” He ruffled Hanzo’s hair gently.

Syzoth’s gaze softened. “You should both rest. Come here, Hanzo.” He held out his hand, helping the young boy to his feet. Hanzo took the offered hand, feeling a strange comfort in the creature’s firm grip.

Hanzo waved goodbye to Raiden as Syzoth led him back to the cell, his thoughts racing with questions and fears. Once he was settled on the cold bench, Syzoth knelt beside him, his expression gentle. “Do you want me to stay?”

Hanzo nodded, his eyes still wide with fear. “Y-yes, please,” he stuttered.

Syzoth lay down next to him, his large frame barely fitting on the bench, but his presence was comforting. Hanzo felt a hand gently rest on his shoulder, and he leaned into the warmth it provided. He twisted his body to look at him.
“Do you want kids?”

Syzoth blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. “Want kids?” He repeated, his expression confused. “What made you ask?”

Hanzo shrugged, his eyes dropping to his lap. “You just seem like you’d be good at it.” He murmured.

Syzoth felt a pang of sadness, his thoughts drifting to his lost family. He sighed. “I had a son…”

Hanzo’s eyes grew even wider. “You did?”

Syzoth nodded solemnly. “Yes, he was only two winters old when he was taken from me…” he murmured, his voice thick with regret.

Hanzo’s heart squeezed at the sadness in Syzoth’s tone. “What happened to him?” He whispered.

Syzoth’s eyes flickered over to Shang Tsung, who was engrossed in his work before he turned back to Hanzo. “It’s a painful story, little one,” he answered, fighting the urge to snap the sorcerer’s neck for his past transgressions.

Hanzo snuggled closer, sensing the pain in his voice. “I’m sorry.” He whispered.

Syzoth squeezed his shoulder, his eyes misting over. “Thank you,” he murmured. He lay there with Hanzo, listening to the muffled sounds of the others planning their next move. Despite their dire situation, the warmth of the boy next to him brought a semblance of peace to his tormented soul, and began to ask himself the question: would he ever have children again? Maybe, if they survived this ordeal, he could adopt Hanzo, or perhaps finally start to acknowledge his feelings for Ashrah and begin his healing process.

In the back of the dungeons, blue and orange flames danced around Liu Kang’s body as he sat cross-legged, deep in meditation. He focused his chi, reaching out for any signs of Geras. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on him. He hadn’t felt so lost since the invasion of Titan Shang Tsung.

The sound of the flames grew louder in his ears, blocking out the whispers of the dungeon. His black hair snaked around his face in the fiery aura he had created, a stark contrast to the cold, damp stones that surrounded them. He didn’t know how much longer his sanity could hold out in this hellish place.

“I was wondering when you would call for me, Lord Liu Kang.” A deep, ancient voice resonated in Liu Kang’s mind, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Sand began to whirl around Liu Kang as the image of Geras coalesced before him, his bright blue eyes gleaming with an eerie wisdom. "Greetings, my lord," he bowed slightly, his movements graceful.

"Geras, we need your help," Liu Kang began without preamble. "We believe there has been an invasion from another timeline.”

Geras's gaze grew intense. "I felt the disturbance in the sands of time, but I could not discern the source." He mused. "What do you know of this enemy?"

Liu Kang narrowed his eyes. “Vaternians,” he spat with anger. “They’re smarter, more cunning than before. And according to Her Majesty, they seemed to be killing off weaker ones.”

Geras nodded gravely. “This is troubling news indeed. An intelligent Vatenrian is a dangerous foe. The last time we encountered such beings, was during the reign of Onaga.”

Liu Kang’s eyes grew sharp. “I recall, but this time is different….my champions are being killed, Geras…” he spoke, trying to hold back his emotions.

Geras’s gaze softened. “I can only imagine your pain, Lord Liu Kang.” He replied with sympathy. “I will help you end this invasion.”

Liu Kang looked up at him, hope flickering in his eyes. “Thank you, Geras. We need to find out who’s leading them, and fast.”

Liu Kang led him down the hall to the chamber where the group had gathered. "Geras, we have much to discuss," he said as they approached the closed door.

Geras nodded, his expression serious. "I am at your disposal, Lord Liu Kang."

As they entered the chamber, the group looked up from their discussions, their expressions a mix of surprise and hope at the sight of the Time Construct.

“Geras,” Mileena greeted with a nod. “What do you know of these Vatenrians?” Her voice was filled with urgency.

Geras stepped into the chamber, his eyes scanning the weary faces around him. “I am aware of the Vatenrians, but their sudden intelligence and organization is indeed a concern,” he said, his gaze settling on the map laid out on the table.

Liu Kang filled him in on what they had discovered so far. The others listened intently, their fear and anxiety palpable in the air. “They are also infecting our allies, turning them into cannibalistic beasts.”

Geras’s eyes grew dark as he took in the information. “It would be wise to assume this leader that we believe to exist, may be their world’s Keeper Of Time.” He suggested.

Mileena perked up. “That would make a lot of sense.” She leaned over the map, her eyes tracing the path of the Vatenrians’ destruction.

“But why now?” Tanya mused, her hand brushing over the map, as if the answer was hidden in the very fibers. “What triggered this?”

Shao, his fists clenched, interjected. “Does it matter? They’re here, and they’re killing everything in their path.”

“It matters if we want to understand their endgame,” Li Mei replied.

Raiden joined in, limping over in pain. “What are we talking about?”

Liu Kang turned to him, his eyes weary. “You’re out of bed.” He smiled.

Raiden grimaced. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Shang Tsung spoke up, his eyes flickering to the map. “If we can-“

A loud thump that made the ceiling dust shiver interrupted the tension-filled discussion. The group tensed, eyes darting around. “What the hell was that?” Johnny exclaimed.

Mileena's eyes narrowed before they widened in realization and horror, her heart now beginning to race. “By the Gods,” she whispered harshly, running to the door that led to the underground tunnels. “They followed us!”

The group jumped to their feet, weapons at the ready. They could hear the sound of scurrying, of claws on stone, and the occasional guttural growl. It was clear that the Vatenrians had found their refuge.

Mileena ran over to a nearby table and grabbed the side. “Push it in front of the door!” she shouted, her eyes wide with fear. The others didn’t need to be told twice, they all jumped into action, pushing and sliding tables and benches in a desperate attempt to barricade the entrance.

The pounding grew louder and more insistent, the creatures on the other side of the barricade snarling with hunger. The wood groaned under their weight, the air thick with the scent of fear and sweat.

The noise made Hanzo and Syzoth sit up abruptly, the boy’s eyes wide with fear. “What’s happening?” He asked, his voice shaking.

Syzoth’s eyes grew steely as he stood. “I'm not sure,” he answered with a hint of fear.

Hanzo clutched his arm, his eyes wide with terror. “We need to help them!” He exclaimed, trying to stand despite his weakened state.

Syzoth held him back firmly but gently. “You need to stay here, it’s not safe for you out there,” he replied.

Hanzo’s eyes searched his, desperate for a way to contribute. “But I can fight too!” He protested, trying to stand.

Syzoth kept him at bay. “Stay here.” He ordered as he ran over to help. Hanzo kept his distance but watched with wide eyes, his heart pounding in his chest. The room was a flurry of activity as the group worked tirelessly to hold back the horde of Vatenrians.

The sound of hands scratching on metal made Hanzo turn around in horror. Kitana was watching him as she gripped the bars of her cell, her eyes filled with a mix of hunger and excitement. "Don't be afraid, Hanzo," she whispered, her voice barely recognizable. "You know I won't hurt you."

But Hanzo knew that wasn't the Kitana he knew. He saw the frenzy in her eyes, the same that had consumed Tomas before. He took a step back, his heart racing. "K-Kitana?" He stuttered.

Her smile grew wider, revealing blood-stained teeth. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice barely a sibilant hiss. "You'll taste so much better than them."

He attempted to back away but a hand from the next cell over grabbed him, pulling him back. It was Kung Lao, his eyes also glazed over with the same infection. "Let go of me!" Hanzo yelled, trying to break free from the grip. He punched Kung Lao’s hand, causing him to release him.

Kitana began to laugh, her body convulsing as she gurgled on deep red blood. “You’re all gonna die down here!” she spat, her voice guttural and inhuman.

Syzoth's gaze snapped to them, his eyes widening. “Hanzo, get away from her!” He shouted.

Hanzo stumbled back, his legs shaking as the reality of the situation set in. The people he had looked up to, the heroes who had fought alongside him, were now monsters. His stomach churned as he watched Kung Lao and Kitana claw at their bars, desperation and hunger etched on their faces.

The group backed off the barricade, huffing and puffing, as the Vatenrians' assault grew fiercer. The wooden barricade held, but the cracks grew wider with each hit. The sound of splintering wood and the beasts' hungry snarls filled the chamber.

Li Mei rushed to begin packing. “Grab as much as you can carry!” she shouted over the cacophony of the Vatenrians' relentless attack. The group moved swiftly, collecting weapons, supplies, and any useful items they could get their hands on.

Shang Tsung grabbed his potions and scrolls, his eyes darting between the barricade and the infected cells. "Damn beasts,” he murmured under his breath. The pounding grew louder, and the wood began to crack. He quickly began to pour one of his solutions into a syringe, his trembling hand a testament to his urgency.

Johnny stepped up beside him, his eyes on the barricade. "What's the plan, old man?" He bellowed over the din. “You got a miracle cure?”

Shang Tsung narrowed his eyes. “I'm not old.” He retorted before turning to the syringe.

Johnny tilted his head. “That’s the part that upset you?” He smirked before his expression grew serious. “But do you have a plan?”

Shang Tsung nodded, his eyes never leaving the syringe. “A gamble, but one worth taking. This isn’t much but if you can manage to jam it in the neck of those two beasts over there, it might put them into a deep sleep until I can find a cure.”

Johnny eyed the syringe and then the infected Kitana and Kung Lao. “How do we know it won’t just make them more...them?”

Shang Tsung sighed. “You think I want to harm them?” He snapped.

Johnny gave him a condescending expression. “…yeah.”

Shang Tsung glared at him, but there was no time for their usual banter. "Make yourself useful, widow.” He spat. “If they manage to get out of those cells, stab them with it.”

Johnny nodded, taking the syringe with a grim look. He stepped back, ready to jump into action if needed. The air grew thick with tension as the barricade groaned under the onslaught of the Vatenrians.

"We can't hold them off forever," Tanya panted, her eyes flickering to the cracks spreading through the wood. "We need to get back upstairs to the palace.”

Mileena held her head in exhaustion. “It's not much better up there.”

But Liu Kang knew she was right. They had to get out of the dungeons. “Everyone, we’re moving out!” He called over the noise, his voice commanding.

Raiden paused, trying to hold back Liu Kang. “Wait, wait!” He pleaded, turning to Kung Lao and Kitana. “What about them? We can’t leave them!”

Liu Kang’s face was a mask of sadness and resolve. “We don’t have a choice. We need to find a way to save them but now’s not the time. We’re outnumbered and outmatched down here. We have to get to the surface, get help, and find a cure before we can come back for them.”

Raiden looked at Kung Lao and felt his heart shatter all over again. “Please…just try.” He begged. “He’s my best friend.”

Shang Tsung sneered. “We don’t have time for this sentimental drivel!” He shouted.

But Liu Kang’s gaze never left Raiden’s. He nodded solemnly. “We will do everything in our power to save them, I promise.”

Raiden took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving his friends' cells. He nodded, knowing Liu Kang spoke the truth. With one last, pained look, he turned away and limped over to join the group.

They moved quickly, each step echoing in the cold, damp corridor. The Vatenrians' growls grew fainter, but the fear of what awaited them above remained strong. As they approached the stairs leading up to the palace, the smell of decay grew stronger. The stench of rotting flesh was unmistakable, hinting at the horrors they would soon face.

The barricade began to fall, and the sound of flapping wings and loud, high-pitched screeching filled the chamber as a swarm of Vatenrians burst through the opening, the force of the wind extinguishing the candles, painting the chamber black.

Chapter Text

Sounds of ruffled sheets filled the room as Rain stirred in bed. The early morning light, though hidden behind the dark clouds, managed to sneak through the cracks of the old, dusty curtains, casting a sad glow on the two figures. Rain’s eyes fluttered open, the weight of his grief immediately pressing down upon him like a lead blanket. He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of his mother.

But she wasn’t there. She was in the ground outside, under the oak tree. Rain sat up with a start, the nightmare from the night before coming back to him in vivid detail. He felt his heart racing, his palms slick with sweat. He looked over to see Reiko still sleeping peacefully beside him, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Rain looked at the end of the bed to find it soaked in Reiko’s blood.

Panic set in, his hand shooting out to feel for a pulse. It was there, steady and strong, but the sight of so much blood made him nauseous. He swallowed hard. “Reiko,” he whispered, shaking him gently. “Wake up, we need to get you cleaned up.”

Reiko groaned, his eyes blinking open. He looked down at the blood and grimaced. “Shit,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Rain helped him sit up, his hands trembling slightly. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for the pain Reiko was in. “Let’s get you cleaned up and bandaged before it gets infected. I’ll try to put in some sort of cast.”

Reiko shook his head. “Just pop it back in place.” He spat.

Rain’s eyes widened. “What? No, we need to get it looked at. It‘s broken!”

“Just do it, Rain. I’ve had worse. Trust me.” Reiko’s voice was laced with pain, but his gaze was firm.

Rain hesitated as he grabbed Reiko’s broken leg, feeling the bone beneath his fingers. He took a deep breath and braced himself for the pain he was about to cause. “This is going to hurt,” he warned, his voice tight with anxiety.

Reiko rolled his eyes, his jaw clenched. “I’ve broken bones more times than I can count. Just do it, Rain.”

Rain took a deep breath and gripped Reiko’s leg firmly. He gave a quick, sharp pull, and heard the bone snap back into place with an audible crunch. Reiko didn’t flinch, staring stoically ahead. Rain felt a wave of nausea wash over him, but he forced it down. "Alright, I’m gonna act like that wasn’t creepy at all.” He joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

Reiko let out a pained laugh. "It’s not the first time, won’t be the last." He leaned back against the headboard, his eyes closed as he took deep breaths. Rain grabbed a clean shirt from his drawer and tore it into strips to make a makeshift bandage. He gently wrapped the material around Reiko’s leg, securing it tightly to stem the flow of blood.

As Rain worked, his mind couldn’t help but drift back to the events of the previous night. The way his mother had looked at him, the love in her eyes, and then the hunger. He pushed the thoughts away, focusing on Reiko’s well-being instead. "We need to get you some proper medical attention," He spoke.

Reiko nodded, his eyes still closed. "When we get back to the palace."

Rain helped Reiko to his feet, and they both winced as he put weight on his injured leg. Rain supported him downstairs, the house feeling eerier in the light of day. “Are you hungry?”

Reiko nodded his head, his body tight with pain. Rain managed a small smile. “I’ll make us something to eat. You should rest.”

He shuffled into the kitchen, looking at the broken glass and overturned furniture from their desperate struggle the night before. The blood had congealed into a dark, sticky mess on the floor, and Rain's stomach twisted at the sight. He opened the pantry, his hand shaking slightly as he rummaged for food. There were canned goods, mostly, and a few stale loaves of bread. Rain took out what they had, trying to ignore the ache in his chest that grew heavier with each passing moment.

Reiko leaned against the counter, his face pale. "What are we having?" He asked, trying to sound more casual than he felt. Rain forced a smile. "Looks like we're going for a gourmet meal of canned soup and bread."

They ate in silence, the only sound the clinking of spoons against the bowls. Rain couldn't help but feel the emptiness in the house, the void his mother had left behind. He kept glancing at the kitchen door, expecting to see her walk in any moment, calling for him to help with dinner or to ask about his day.

Reiko coughed, his voice hoarse from the dust and exertion. “We should get going soon, Rain.”

Rain sighed, knowing the soldier was right. He noticed that he continued to cough and raised an eyebrow. “Thirsty?”

Reiko cleared his throat. “Could use some water.”

Rain smirked as he grabbed two empty glasses from the dusty cupboard and flicked his wrist, summoning water within the cup. It swirled before coming to a rest as Rain set it down. “Here you go, I figured we could both use it.”

Reiko took the glass gratefully, downing the water in one gulp. Rain watched him, his expression a mix of worry and admiration. Despite his injuries, Reiko remained stoic, his eyes never leaving Rain’s face. Rain took a deep breath and tried to eat more soup, his stomach churning with a mix of hunger and dread.

As they finished their makeshift meal, Rain’s mind raced with what awaited them outside. The Vaternians had taken over the city, and their path back to the palace would be fraught with danger. He looked around the kitchen, his gaze lingering on the bloodstains. “Can you walk?”

Reiko nodded, gritting his teeth. “Let’s go.”

They made their way to the door, Rain supporting most of Reiko’s weight. He glanced back at the house one last time, the memories of his mother’s warmth and love now forever tainted by the horror of her transformation. “Alavida…” he murmured to the empty room before steeling himself and heading into the unknown outside.

The streets were eerily quiet, the only sound the occasional distant cry of a Vaternian. Rain’s heart raced as they stepped out into the cold, the smell of decay thick in the air. He scanned their surroundings, his senses heightened from fear and adrenaline. Reiko leaned heavily on him, his breathing shallow and pained with each step.

They stuck to the shadows, avoiding the pockets of light that spilled out from the broken windows of the houses. Rain’s old neighborhood looked like a war zone, the buildings scarred by the battles that had been waged here. The sight brought a fresh wave of anger and sadness to Rain’s heart.

As they hobbled along, Reiko’s hand tightly gripping Rain’s shoulder, Rain couldn’t help but think about all the people he had known, all the lives that had been destroyed by the Vaternian invasion. His mind was a jumble of memories, each more painful than the last. He knew he needed to stay focused on the present, but the grief was a tide that threatened to drown him.

They approached the city outskirts, the palace looming in the distance like a beacon of hope. Rain’s eyes narrowed as he spotted movement up ahead. He pushed Reiko behind a crumbling wall and peeked around the corner. A group of Vaternians stumbled through the ruins, their eyes glazed over with hunger.

He whispered into Reiko’s ear, “We need to be careful. There’s a group of them up ahead.”

Reiko nodded, his grip on Rain’s shoulder tightening. Rain could feel the tension in his body, the anticipation of another battle. They waited in the shadows, their breaths shallow and quiet. Rain's eyes darted around, looking for an escape route, a way to avoid the inevitable confrontation.

“How many?” Reiko asked.

Rain squinted into the dim light. “Four, maybe five. They’re spread out, but it won’t be easy to get by without being seen.” He answered, trying to think of a plan. “I could summon a wave? Wipe them out before they get too close?”

Reiko’s lips formed a line as he thought. “Too risky. They might not all be taken out, and it’ll alert more of them. We need to be subtle and get around them if we can. Can't you make a portal? Get back to the palace a bit quicker?”

Rain shook his head. “It doesn’t work far distance, remember?”

Reiko’s gaze flicked to Rain, his eyes searching. “I can handle it, just tell me how many are left and where they are. I can take them out quietly.”

Rain nodded, his throat tight with emotion. “There are three moving towards the left. If you can get them before they notice us, we might be able to sneak past the others.”

Reiko pushed himself away from the wall, testing his weight on his injured leg. Rain could see the pain etched in every line of his face, but the soldier’s resolve didn’t waver.

“Stay here,” Reiko whispered. “I’ll take them out and signal when it’s clear.”

Rain watched as Reiko limped into the shadows and leaned against the wall, trying to control his breathing.

Reiko lowered himself to the dirt, his boots caked in fallen leaves and moss, the cold seeping through his pants. He slowly crept through the foliage, his eyes fixed on the unsuspecting Vaternians. “One, two, three...” he murmured under his breath, counting his steps. A trick the General had taught him to keep his mind sharp and focused during stealth missions.

Eventually, he closed in on one, its wings fluttering aimlessly as it searched the ground for any signs of food. It’s back was turned, oblivious to the danger that lurked nearby. Reiko narrowed his eyes as he lunged forward, covering the creature’s mouth with a gloved hand while the other twisted it’s neck until a satisfying crack rang through the quiet.

He repeated the process with the other two, the last one putting up a slight struggle, but his training and desperation overpowered it quickly. As he continued, he thought about what Shao would say when he saw him again. Would he be proud? Disappointed? Angry?

It was with a heavy heart that he disobeyed the general and went with Rain. He felt ungrateful, a traitor. But he had seen something in Rain that night, a spark of hope and love that reminded him of his own mother. He couldn’t let him face this alone. Sure, he was going a little soft, but sometimes that was the only way to keep going.

Reiko made his way back to Rain, his movements silent despite the pain that shot through his leg with every step. He gave a low whistle, a signal they had agreed upon earlier. Rain’s head popped up from behind the wall and he let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s clear for now,” Reiko said, his voice strained.

Rain smiled. “Thank you,” he whispered, the words barely audible.

They carefully made their way forward, trying to be as quiet as possible. The closer they got to the palace, the more intense the silence grew. Rain could feel his heart pounding in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a drum. He knew they were close, but the journey seemed to stretch on forever, every step a battle against his own fear.

Reiko cleared his throat. “Rain?”

Rain’s gaze snapped back to the present. “Hmm?”

“When we get back, we’re going to have to face the music. Shao’s not going to be happy about me leaving.” Reiko’s voice was tight with anxiety, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

Rain scoffed. “Oh please, you’re over ten thousand years old and you’re worried about getting in trouble with Shao?”

Reiko rolled his eyes. “It’s not about getting in trouble, it’s about trust. And I’ve broken that trust by leaving without permission to follow you here. I can’t just come back like nothing happened.”

Rain stepped in front of him. “Hey, look at me,” his voice was gentle, his eyes earnest. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I know why you came, and I’m grateful for it. Shao will understand, he’s not unreasonable.”

Reiko didn’t meet his gaze, his eyes still on the path ahead. “It’s not that simple, Rain. Im bonded to that man by blood and duty. He’s my General, my family. And I just left him, to follow a prince who’s lost his way.”

Rain’s head perked up. “…a prince?” He smirked.

Reiko’s expression remained serious. “A figure of speech.” He spat.

They continued in silence for a few moments before Rain spoke again. “Well, I’m grateful you’re here. I don’t think I could have done this alone.”

“Of course not, you’d be dead.” Reiko’s voice was gruff, but Rain could hear the affection beneath the words, and couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of him being a helpless prince.

“If I’m a prince, does that make you a princess?” Rain joked.

Reiko glared at him. “Watch yourself mage.” He threatened.

Rain chuckled. “You’re right, I wouldn’t want to bruise your ego.” He stepped aside, allowing Reiko to lead the way.

As they approached the palace gates, the grandeur of the once gleaming white stone was splattered with blood and dirt. Reiko pushed open the rusty gates, each creak echoing through the abandoned street. Rain’s eyes searched the horizon, expecting to see an army of Vaternians waiting for them, but the area remained eerily silent.

They stumbled into the courtyard, the cobblestones stained with the dark remnants of guts spilled. Bodies lay in every direction, some still twitching with the last vestiges of life. Rain felt his stomach lurch at the sight, his eyes filling with tears. This was his home, his sanctuary, now a battlefield of nightmares.

They made it inside the castle, the halls that once bustled with life now eerily quiet and covered with disemboweled corpses. The door to the dungeons wasn’t far, but the smell of iron and decay made it feel like a mile.

"Here, let's clean you up first," Rain said, leading Reiko to a nearby washroom. He wet a cloth and began to gently wipe the dried blood from the soldier’s face. Reiko hissed as Rain touched a particularly sensitive spot.

Rain ringed the rag. “You still have some of that war paint on your face.” He mused.

Reiko raised an eyebrow, looking at his reflection in the shard of a mirror. “Heh, I guess I do.”

Rain wiped the paint from Reiko's face, revealing the lines of exhaustion. Reiko squirmed away. “What the hell are you doing?”

Rain shrugged. “It’s smudged, what’s the point of keeping it on?”

Reiko sighed, letting Rain continue. Rain’s touch was gentle, almost tender, and it sent a shiver down Reiko’s spine. He hadn’t felt such care in years, and it was disconcerting. No one, not even Shao ever cleaned him up or comforted him after a fight. Even when he was a child and was crying from the pain of a gash on his face, Shao had merely handed him a cloth and told him to get up.

Rain’s eyes searched his face, looking for any signs of pain. Reiko knew he was just trying to help, but he felt a strange vulnerability in the act. He was a soldier, a warrior, and here he was, letting a mage baby him like a child. But he couldn’t deny that it felt good, like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.

“You know, I never knew you had such a soft side,” Reiko said, trying to lighten the mood.

Rain paused for a moment, the cloth hovering over Reiko’s cheek. “What? Me? I’m as rough as they come.” He smirked, his eyes filled with mirth despite the pain in his heart.

Reiko chuckled, his voice strained from the pain. “I’ve seen you with your mother, Rain. That softness is not a secret.”

Rain’s smile faltered, his mind flooding with memories of the creature his mother had become. He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Let’s not talk about that,” he murmured, focusing on the task at hand. He cleaned the last of the paint from Reiko’s face and tossed the rag aside. “Done.”

Reiko opened his eyes to reveal his now clean face in the cracked mirror. He looked different, less… fierce without the war paint.

"You should get some rest," Rain suggested, his voice gentle.

Reiko nodded, his eyes drooping with fatigue. "Yeah, I think I will."

They began to walk back to the dungeons, each step heavier than the last. The large brown doors stood open, revealing the cold, dark stone stairs that led to their destination. Rain’s stomach dropped. “They’re open…”

Reiko tilted his head. “You think something happened?”

Rain gulped. “I don’t know. Maybe. We should be careful.”

They walked closer to the ajar doors, their boots echoing in the empty hall. Rain’s hand carefully pushed the door wider, revealing more of the staircase that descended into the dungeon's depths. The air grew colder, the scent of damp stone and the faint coppery smell of blood stronger. Rain took his first step on the stairs, his heart racing.

A loud screech echoed through the dungeons, making Rain and Reiko freeze in their tracks. A pair of wings flew up from the steps and before Rain knew it, he was pinned to the ground by a Vaternian.

The creature’s eyes bore into him, hunger and malice swirling in their depths. Rain could feel the cold marble beneath him, the chill seeping through his clothes.

“Get off me!” He roared, trying to push the creature away. It was heavier than he expected, its body thick with muscle and covered in blood. Rain’s eyes widened in horror as the creature opened its mouth, revealing a set of jagged teeth that looked like they could rip through steel.

Reiko didn’t hesitate. He grabbed the last of the throwing stars he had on him and flung it at the creature’s face, the sharp metal sinking into its back with a wet thud. The Vaternian shrieked and jerked backward, but it’s grip on Rain didn’t loosen. It covered itself and Rain with it’s wings, trying to shield itself from further attacks. Rain could feel the creature’s hot breath on his face, it’s foul breath making him gag.

Rain pushed against the creature’s chest with all his might, trying to free himself from its embrace. He could see Reiko’s shadowy figure moving through the gloom, searching for an opening to strike again.

Reiko grabbed it’s wing and tore it away from Rain's face, exposing the creature’s neck. He kicked it in the jaw, the sound of bone cracking filling the room. Rain took the opportunity to roll out from under it, panting heavily as he covered himself with his cloak, shaking heavily.

The Vaternian stumbled back, hissing and snarling. It was massive, its body a twisted mix of human and beast, with wings that stretched across it’s frame.

It lunged for Reiko, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the wall. Rain’s eyes went wide with fear as he watched Reiko’s legs dangle in the air, Rain screamed and bolted forward, but the creature's wing whipped around, knocking him back down. He tumbled down, feeling the sharp sting of pain in his side.

Gasping for air, Reiko kicked with his good foot, trying to break the creature’s grip. His eyes bulged, and Rain could see the veins in his neck straining. His vision began to blur, and his foot slowly lost its rhythm.

The Vaternian bared it’s teeth once more, ready to deliver the killing blow, when a large, scaly hand grabbed it by its throat, tearing it away from Reiko. The creature trashed and hissed until the sound of a broken neck rang through the hall. Reiko coughed, gasping for air as he watched the general drop the lifeless Vaternian to the floor.

Reiko’s eyes widened as he stared up at Shao. “Sir…”

Shao’s expression was unreadable, his gaze flicking from Reiko’s bruised face to Rain’s trembling form on the ground. “Nice of you to join us…”

Chapter Text

Reiko's vision swam as he struggled to sit up, his throat raw and bruised from the Vaternian's grip. Rain was already on his feet, eyes darting between Shao and the fallen creature. "Thank you," Rain choked out, his voice strained with relief.

“Don’t thank me, Zeffeero,” Shao replied, his voice cold as ice as he yanked Reiko to his feet. “On your feet, Lieutenant.”

Reiko gritted his teeth as pain shot through his injured leg, but he managed to stand, though he had to lean heavily against the wall. Shao’s eyes bore into him, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths.

“Amara’s not with you…” Shao’s voice trailed off as he took in the scene, his eyes flicking from Reiko’s blood-soaked leg to Rain’s trembling stance. “So she’s dead then?”

Rain’s throat tightened, the words lodged in his chest like a heavy stone. He nodded slowly, his eyes welling up.

Shao’s expression remained stoic, but Rain could see the sadness in the creases around his eyes. “I see,” he murmured, his grip on Reiko’s arm loosening slightly. “Don’t dwell on it, we have a situation on our hands.”

“What happened?” Rain asked.

“The Vaternians broke into the dungeons so we had to evacuate. I was going back for any lost supplies when I found you two instead,” Shao explained, his eyes hard as flint as he surveyed the two of them.

“Are the others safe?” Rain’s voice was thick with worry.

Shao nodded curtly. “For now. We need to move fast. The palace is compromised. We regroup with the others and then we retreat.”

Rain tilted his head. “Retreat? To where?”

Shao's eyes scanned the corridor, his mind racing. “For right now, we’re stationed in the throne room, but we’re preparing to move to a more defensible area.”

Reiko cleared his throat. “Any progress on a cure?” He asked.

Shao’s expression grew grim. “That sorcerer has been slacking in that department. All we know is that we can incapacitate the infected with the herbs from the dungeon, but it’s not a cure. We need to keep moving and stay ahead of them.”

They made their way through the winding corridors, the stench of death and decay growing stronger with each step. Rain’s heart hammered in his chest as he thought of the others. Would they be okay? Was there any hope for a cure?

Shao’s large hand rested on the doors that led to the throne room, his knuckles white from the tension. “In here.” He said, pushing the doors open.

Rain shivered as he covered himself with his cloak, trying to ignore the cold sweat that coated his body. Reiko noticed. “Are you alright?”

Rain nodded, his eyes not leaving the floor. “Just a bit shaken, that’s all.” He replied, shaking uncontrollably as he entered the room.

Reiko went to follow behind, but Shao stopped him. “We need to talk, " he said in a low tone, shutting the door.

Reiko narrowed his eyes at Shao. "What is it?" He asked, his voice low and wary.

Shao crossed his arms. “You know exactly what it is…”

Reiko swallowed. “I had my reasons for leaving, General.”

Shao’s gaze didn’t waver. “You disobeyed a direct order, Reiko. That’s not something to be taken lightly, especially in wartime.”

Reiko nodded stiffly. “I know. But Rain—”

Shao’s hand shot up, cutting him off. “Zeffeero is not your responsibility. Your duty is to this realm and the military. You swore an oath!”

Reiko’s jaw tightened. “You yourself haven’t upheld that oath, so don’t preach to me about duty!”

Shao’s eyes flashed with anger, but Reiko didn’t flinch. “You have no idea what I’ve sacrificed for this realm, Reiko!”

“And what about me? What have you sacrificed for me?” Reiko shot back, the words like a knife to Shao’s heart.

Shao slapped Reiko across the face, the sound echoing through the corridor. “Why should I sacrifice for you?” He growled.

Reiko’s head snapped back with the force of the blow, but he didn’t falter. He stared at Shao with a mix of anger and sadness. “Because I’m your son, that’s why!” He spat back.

Shao’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before it dropped to his side. His expression was unreadable as he took a step back. “You will address me as General from now on, and we will speak of this no more.”

Reiko’s chest heaved with anger and pain, but he nodded. “As you wish, General.”

Shao turned away, his gaze distant. “We need to focus on surviving this. Afterward, we’ll deal with your insubordination and the consequences of your actions. For now, we regroup and move together. Understood?”

Reiko’s eyes watered from the sting of the slap and the weight of his words. “Yes, General,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shao turned and strode back into the throne room, leaving Reiko to limp in his wake. Rain looked up from where he had been tending to Tanya and the others. His eyes searched Reiko’s face, finding the red mark from the slap. Rain’s gaze shot to Shao, but Reiko gave a minuscule shake of his head, silently telling him not to say anything.

The room was in disarray, with supplies and weapons scattered across the floor. The group looked tired and beaten, but the fire in their eyes was still burning. They had lost much, but their determination to fight was unwavering. Rain felt a swell of pride in his chest at the sight of them, his comrades who had become his family.

Liu Kang and Mileena walked over. “Rain! You made it back.” Millena exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and worry. Rain nodded, his eyes still glued to the ground.

Liu Kang’s gaze fell on Reiko, his expression one of concern. “What happened to you?”

Reiko grimaced, straightening his posture despite the pain. “It’s nothing.”

“Reiko, your leg—” Rain began, but Reiko waved him off.

“It’s fine. I’ve had worse. We need to focus on the cure, on saving everyone else.” He limped over to the makeshift medical station where Syzoth was working tirelessly.

Syzoth looked up, his eyes weary. “Welcome back. I take it you weren’t successful?”

Reiko leaned heavily on the medical station, his leg screaming with pain. "No…”

Syzoth’s gaze softened, his own exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “You need to rest, let me take a look at that wound."

Reiko hesitated, then nodded, allowing Syzoth to carefully lift his pant leg and examine the gash. Rain hovered anxiously nearby, his eyes darting from Reiko’s leg to the door, as if expecting more Vatenrians to burst through at any moment.

Hanzo peeked around the corner. “Hello,”

Reiko looked up at the child. “…hello?” He said tentatively.

Syzoth glanced at the child. “This is Hanzo. Shirai Ryu.” He introduced him, his voice gentle.

Reiko tilted his head. “Shirai Ryu?”

Syzoth nodded. “He’s been a great help, considering everything.”

Reiko studied the young boy. “I'm guessing the rest of them are dead?”

Hanzo shook his head. “Kuai Liang will make it back…” he whispered uncertainly.

Syzoth sighed. “Let’s hope so. But we can’t wait around here for him or anyone else. We have to keep moving forward.” He turned to Reiko, his eyes serious. “What happened out there?”

Reiko grimaced as Syzoth poked at his injury. “Amara is dead.”

Syzoth’s expression fell, his eyes saddened by the news. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he murmured.

Johnny Cage looked up from his brooding corner, his eyes meeting Rain’s. The two shared a silent moment of mourning before Rain turned back to the group, his mind racing with thoughts of the journey ahead.

“When are you ready to move out?” Li Mei inquired with Liu Kang.”

Liu Kang's expression was grim as he surveyed their dwindling supplies. “As soon as Geras has a solid lead on the Vatenrian leader, we'll move. How is Shang Tsung with the cure?”

Li Mei rolled her eyes. “He’s slacking as usual, playing with his potions and scrolls like a kid in a sandbox.”

Shao’s jaw tightened at the mention of Shang Tsung. “He’d better have something concrete soon, or we’re all doomed.”

Reiko hissed as Syzoth applied pressure to his wound, but he kept his composure. A familiar face walked over. “You’re back.”

Reiko’s eyes widened a bit. Raiden. The bandages on his amputated arm stood out, covered in dried blood. “You’re awake.” He shot back.

Raiden nodded, his eyes narrowing. “I see you’ve been busy.” He gestured to Reiko’s leg. “Perhaps I should cut it off so the infection doesn’t spread?”

Reiko glared at him. “You lay a hand on me, and I’ll rip your other arm off myself and shove it down your throat.”

Syzoth snickered at their banter, causing them both to turn to him. “The fuck is so funny?” They both snapped at him.

Syzoth shrugged. “Nothing, just enjoying the show.“ he joked.

Reiko clenched his teeth as Syzoth worked on his leg, the pain bringing him back to reality. “Well, Raiden, I can…tell you’re still angry with me.”

Raiden’s gaze was unwavering. “I’m not angry.”

Reiko raised an eyebrow. “Really? After I cut your arm off?”

Raiden took a deep breath. “I understand your reasons, Reiko. But it doesn’t change the fact that we need unity now more than ever. We can’t afford to hold grudges, not with what’s at stake here. Us monks are taught that-“

“Yeah, yeah I don’t have time for your monk wisdom right now, Raiden.” Reiko’s voice was strained as Syzoth finished bandaging his leg.

Raiden’s expression was a mix of disappointment and resignation. “Fine.” He turned away, joining the group's strategic huddle.

Their conversation grew tense as they discussed the intel on the Vatenrian leader. The room was filled with murmurs and the clank of weapons being checked and rechecked. Rain felt his anxiety spike as he watched the interactions, his mind racing with doubt about their chances.

Geras spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the din. "The Keeper of Time is a powerful entity, not to be underestimated. It will take all of us, united, to stand a chance against them."

Liu Kang nodded solemnly, grabbing a map from the table. "We're running out of options. Raiden, take this and see if you can find anything in the corridors.”

Raiden took the map, his eyes scanning the worn parchment with a focused intensity. “I’ll find something,” he murmured before heading out.

Raiden walked out into the bloody halls of the palace, his thoughts racing. He knew that the stakes were high and that their chances of finding a cure or defeating the Vatenrians were slim. But he couldn't let doubt consume him. He had to believe in their cause, for the sake of the realm and for the friends he had made here.

He stepped over bodies and debris, his boots echoing in the deserted corridor. The silence was deafening, only broken by the occasional howl of a Vatenrian in the distance. He swallowed hard, pushing down the bile that threatened to rise in his throat.

The sight of disemboweled soldiers and torn banners painted the once majestic halls in shades of despair. The stench of rotting flesh and the faint smell of burned incense mixed in the air. Raiden gagged, holding his hand to his mouth as he navigated through the destruction. He had to stay focused, the fate of everyone he cared about was at stake.

The large wooden doors that led to the dungeon loomed before him, scarred and splintered from the attack. The doors were cracked open, allowing a sliver of light to enter the blacked stairwell. Raiden’s heart twisted, Kitana and Kung Lao were still down there, rotting in cells like animals. Animals that Liu Kang left behind. He couldn’t shake the guilt, the feeling of abandonment, but he knew they had no other choice.

He continued to walk, but he stopped when a faint sound reached his ears. Crying. The sound of someone crying. It traveled from the depths of the stairs to Raiden’s ears. A soft, heart-wrenching sound that seemed out of place in the harshness of the corrupted palace.

Raiden turned around. “H-hello?” He called out tentatively. The crying stopped before a familiar voice spoke back. “Raiden?…”

Raiden’s heart fluttered. Kitana. “Princess?” He called out again, his voice echoing in the stairwell. “Princess, it's me!”

Kitana let out a sigh of relief. “Thank the gods,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m down here, locked in this cell, Raiden! Come down here…”

Raiden hesitated. “You’re infected…” he muttered. “You bit me…”

“Please, Raiden!” Kitana’s voice grew more desperate. “You have to get me out of here!”

Raiden’s eyes searched the shadows, torn between his duty and the woman he loved. “I…I-I don't know.”

The crying grew softer, then Kitana spoke again, her voice trembling. “Please, Raiden, I’m begging you. Don’t leave me here like this. I need you...I’m better I promise.”

Raiden’s chest tightened. Her voice was no longer that monstrous growl, it was the sweet sound he knew so well, the one that had comforted him through battles and nightmares. He took a tentative step toward the stairs, then paused. "What if it’s a trap?" He thought aloud.

But the pain in her voice was real, and he couldn't ignore it. He took a deep breath and descended into the dungeon, his heart racing with every step.

There were no signs of Vaternians, just the destruction they made when they broke in. Claw marks on the walls, furniture overturned, lanterns shattered on the floors, and the ever-present smell of fear and desperation.

With each step he took, hope and fear mingled in Raiden’s heart. He knew the risks of going back down into the dungeon, but the sound of Kitana’s voice, so human and so desperate, was more than he could bear. He had to help her. He had to believe that she wasn’t lost to the infection.

He turned the corner, expecting to see her, sitting there with a smile filled with relief as she reached through the bars to gently grasp his hand like a knight in shining armor come to rescue his damsel in distress.

But there was no damsel, and definitely not one in distress. What instead greeted him was an empty cell, where she should have been. The lock…smashed open…

Raiden froze, his hand hovering over the cold iron bars of the empty cell, his heart hammering against his ribcage. “It was a trap…a damn trap.” He murmured to himself, his eyes searching the shadows.

A giggling sound grew louder, taunting him from every corner of the dungeon. “Looking for someone?” A sing-song voice echoed, the words dancing around the room like a mischievous spirit.

Raiden’s eyes narrowed, he spun around, searching the shadows for any sign of Kitana, his mind racing. Was she playing games with him? Or was it the infection playing tricks on her mind?

The giggle grew closer until it was right beside him, but when he turned, no one was there. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

“Ki-Kitana?” He called out, his voice shaky.

“Kitana’s not with us anymore…” a sad-like voice whispered, causing Raiden’s heart to skip a beat.

He whirled around, his eyes scanning the darkness for any movement, but saw nothing. The silence was deafening, except for the steady drip of water from somewhere in the distance.

Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the wall, elongating into a human form. Kitana emerged from the shadows with an unearthly grace, her spine arching back in a backbend that made her seem more beast than woman. Her eyes were pools of blackness, filled with a hunger that made Raiden’s skin crawl.

“You’ve been looking for me, love?” she purred, her voice a twisted mockery of its former self.

Raiden covered his mouth in sheer horror. “By the Gods…” he breathed. The creature before him was a grotesque parody of Kitana, her skin a sickly gray, veins pulsing with a blackish-green substance.

She was smiling…but it was not a smile of love or warmth. It was a twisted grin that seemed to stretch too taunt over her face, revealing teeth that were too sharp.

Raiden began to move backward, his hand shaking as he reached for his amulet. “I…am gonna need to pass on this reunion. You’re not the Kitana I know.”

Her smile grew wider, the sharpness of her teeth glinting in the dim light before her face dropped and she just stared…with those black beady eyes…all she did was stare.

Run.

Raiden booked it up the stairs as Kitana crawled toward him at a disturbingly fast pace. The sound of her nails on the stone was like nails on a chalkboard, setting his teeth on edge. He could feel the infection in the air, thick and oppressive. It clung to him like a fog, whispering dark thoughts into his mind, urging him to give up, to just let go.

Her laugh echoed up the stairwell, but it also sounded like a cry. A mixture of pain and malice that sent chills down his spine. Raiden's legs burned as he sprinted up the stairs, and he could hear the clanging of Kitana's feet dragging behind her, and the wet smack of her hand against the stone as she gave chase.

He reached the top of the staircase and pushed against the door. Banging it, kicking it, anything to get the goddamn thing open! He felt the coldness of the stone floor seep through his boots, and for a moment, he thought he might just collapse from the sheer terror that washed over him.

The door didn't budge. "Damn it!" He shouted, his fist slamming against the wood.

Behind him, Kitana's laugh grew closer, the sound of her nails scratching the stones sending a shiver down his spine. He tried the door handle again, this time with more force, and felt it give way. He threw his weight against the door and saw the light that peeked through the opening.

The door creaked open with a protest, and Raiden took a step forward, but a decomposing hand grabbed hold of his leg, nails digging into his flesh. He screamed and kicked wildly, trying to shake her off. Kitana’s grip was like iron, her strength seemingly unmatched by the frail figure she had become as she dragged Raiden back down the stairs, the door slamming shut with a final thud, followed by the harsh sounds of Raiden’s body smacking against the walls of the stairwell as he was dragged to hell…

Chapter Text

Kuai Liang wasn’t one to show fear, but the silence was unbearable. His mind raced with images of Tomas ripping open Harumi’s belly, the blood, the screams...he had to end this before Tomas harmed anyone else. The flicker of torches cast erratic shadows on the wall, and he tightened his grip on the knife he held.

Killing his little brother…by the Gods, those words themselves were enough to make him sick. His hands trembled as he held the knife, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. He wished Bi-Han were there, the two of them could have handled Tomas together, but he knew it was a futile wish. Bi-Han would have been more than happy to leave Hanzo behind and not turn his back as his guts were feasted on. Perhaps he would have saved the child and slain Tomas himself, just to prove that he wasn’t worthy of the Lin Kuei title. Either way, it was a moot point. Bi-Han had betrayed them, and now Kuai Liang was left with the mess.

The sound of claws on stone grew closer, and Kuai Liang braced himself, his muscles coiling like a spring. He had to be quick, had to end it before Tomas saw him as food. He didn’t want to die here, in this hellish place, but if it meant saving Hanzo and the others, he was ready to make that sacrifice.

He froze when the faint sound of crying pierced the silence. It was a sound of such desolation and pain that it seemed to resonate through the very stones of the chamber. Kuai Liang’s heart clenched. It couldn’t be...but it sounded like Tomas. He stepped closer, his knife at the ready, his heart racing with hope and dread.

The sobs grew louder as he approached, and he saw a figure standing in the flickering torchlight, his body hunched and trembling.

Kuai Liang's grip on the knife loosened as he recognized the blood-splattered form of his brother. "Tomas?" He called out, his voice cracking.

Blood dribbled from the corners of Tomas’s mouth, spilling onto the grimy floor, as he slowly turned to face Kuai Liang. His eyes were black and leaking blood. “I’m sorry…” He choked out. “I’m sorry, please don’t be mad at me,” his voice small and broken.

Kuai Liang’s arm fell to his side, the knife clattering to the ground. “Tomas?” He whispered, his voice thick with shock and grief.

The creature that was once Tomas took a shaky step forward. “I didn’t mean to... I can’t control it,” he gasped, his body convulsing. The black veins pulsing under his skin.

Kuai Liang took a step back, his eyes wide with horror. This wasn’t the monster that killed Haru, this was his little brother, begging for mercy. The same little brother who used to follow him around the monastery, mimicking his every move. The same little brother who looked up to him with idolizing eyes. The same little brother who cried to him when Bi-Han had been too harsh in their training.

“Tomas, no...” he breathed out, his hand shaking as he reached out.

Tomas took another step, his eyes filled with agony. “It hurts, brother…can you hold me?” He reached out his arms, his clawed hands shaking. Kuai Liang felt his own eyes well up with tears as he saw the fear and pain in his sibling's gaze.

The room was eerily silent, except for the distant echoes of their breaths and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling. Kuai Liang took a tentative step forward, his hand reaching out to Tomas's shoulder. The creature flinched at first, then leaned into the touch with a sigh that was almost human.

Tomas's body was trembling violently, and Kuai Liang could see the desperation in his eyes. The creature was in pain, a pain so intense that it seemed to be consuming him from the inside out. Kuai Liang's heart ached for the suffering his brother was enduring. He had seen many things in his life, but nothing compared to the sight before him now.

Gently, he wrapped his arms around Tomas, pulling him close, and for a moment, it felt like he was holding his brother again. The warmth of their shared embrace was a stark contrast to the cold, damp air of the tunnels. The creature's sobs grew quieter as it leaned into him, and Kuai Liang whispered words of comfort, promising that it would all be over soon.

“I-is he o-o-ok?” Tomas asked, his teeth chattering uncontrollably.

Kuai Liang swallowed the lump in his throat, his eyes brimming with tears. “Who?”

“Hanzo,” Tomas’s voice was strained, a glimpse of his humanity shining through the monster’s eyes. “Is he safe?”

Kuai Liang nodded, his voice cracking. “He’s with the others, I’ve sent him away.”

Tomas’s body convulsed again, and he buried his face into Kuai Liang’s chest. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Kuai Liang’s grip tightened around his brother, his eyes never leaving Tomas’s face. He could feel the creature’s body growing weaker, the tremors in his muscles growing more frequent. He knew what he had to do, but the thought of it brought bile to his throat.

He eyed an empty bag sitting on the ground and took a deep breath as he slowly released Tomas. He grabbed the bag and turned it upside down.

Tomas stepped back. “What are you doing?” He asked.

Kuai Liang didn’t answer as his grip tightened on the bag. “Just…close your eyes, ok?”

But Tomas understood. He jerked back, his eyes wide with horror. “No, no, no!” He screamed, his humanity briefly breaking through the infection’s hold. He ran deeper into the tunnels, his movements erratic as the beast inside him fought for dominance. Kuai Liang watched him go, tears streaming down his face.

Tomas vanished into the darkness, his cries echoing back through the corridors like the wails of a lost soul. Kuai Liang stumbled back, his legs threatening to give way beneath him. He leaned against the cold stone wall, trying to catch his breath and compose himself.

He clenched his fists and followed his brother into the dark tunnels, his heart a heavy burden in his chest.

The torchlight flickered off the damp stones as Kuai Liang walked, the shadows dancing around him like ghosts of their past. Memories flooded his mind: of a younger Tomas, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched Kuai Liang and Bi-Han train; of the gentle smiles and kind words that were so rare from Bi-Han, reserved mostly for Kuai Liang; of the way Tomas would mimic their moves, eager to be accepted, to be a true part of their family.

He remembered the nights when Tomas would crawl into his bed, tears on his face from the harsh words and blows Bi-Han had dealt. Kuai Liang had held him close, whispering that it didn’t matter that he wasn’t their blood, that he was their brother in every way that counted. They had promised to stick together, to always watch each other’s backs. It was a bond forged in the harsh fires of their upbringing, a bond that was supposed to be unbreakable.

Now, as he stumbled through the tunnels, the smell grew stronger, the odor of decay invading his nostrils, turning his stomach. It was a smell that seemed to seep into his very soul. He covered his mouth to avoid puking, trying to keep his breathing shallow to keep the stench at bay.

Kuai Liang’s eyes grew wet as he approached a room, the smell coming from there was unmistakable. It was the scent of death, the kind that clung to the air and never truly left. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he knew he would find. He pushed the door open, and there she lay, Harumi, her lifeless body on the cold, damp ground. Her eyes were wide open, staring at nothing, her beautiful face twisted into a silent scream. Her stomach was ripped open, the contents scattered around her like a grisly bouquet. Kuai Liang’s hand flew to his mouth, stifling a gag, his eyes watering at the sight.

He fell to his knees beside her, tears streaming down his face as he took in the sight of her torn body. He reached out a trembling hand to close her eyes, his heart feeling like it was being ripped from his chest. “I’m so sorry, my love,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

He held her hand up to his lips and kissed her ring finger, the metal cold and lifeless. He slowly got up, his body aching from the grief and the battle. He spotted an old blanket in the corner of the room, he picked it up, trying not to let the tears blur his vision, and gently covered her up, hiding the horror that was her end.

“Rest now, my love,” he murmured, his voice echoing off the walls. He stood there for what felt like an eternity, just watching the blanket that now covered Harumi's lifeless form. His hand hovered over her, as if he could somehow bring warmth to her cold body. Finally, with a deep, shuddering breath, he turned away.

The anger that had been simmering in his chest now boiled over, turning into a white-hot rage that filled every part of him. He clenched his fists, his knuckles popping. He walked further down the tunnel, the rage fueling his steps as he clenched the bag.

Deeper down the tunnel, Tomas stumbled his way through the darkness, his body contorting with pain as he tried to hold on to his dwindling humanity. His thoughts were a jumbled mess of fear and sorrow as his body convulsed, the infection fighting for control.

He clawed at his own skin, desperate to rid himself of the pain as dark red blood spilled down his eyes and mouth, mixing with his tears. “Oh, Gods…” he moaned, staggering forward. “Help me, please!”

He covered his mouth, feeling the sharp teeth dig into his palm as he tried to muffle his sobs. Harumi is dead…he killed her, he ate her. He hurled and the contents of his stomach splattered on the cold, hard ground. He had almost had got Hanzo too, but the damn brat got away. Maybe he wouldn’t be so damn hungry if he had finished the kid off and feasted on his insides…no…what was he thinking? He was not a monster!

He whimpered as he stumbled down the corridor, his legs feeling like lead and his stomach churning with an unquenchable hunger that clawed at his very soul. He didn’t want this…he just wanted to protect Outworld, to be a hero like his brothers. Now, he was a monster.

As he rounded a corner, blackness covered his eyes as a bag was firmly placed around his head. Tomas thrashed and screamed, his body convulsing with fear and pain. “No! Please, no!” He begged, but the words were muffled by the thick fabric.

He felt himself being lifted off the ground, his body rigid with terror as the bag tightened around his neck. He squirmed and kicked, but the arms holding him were too strong. “Kuai Liang?” He gasped out.

No response came from the darkness, only the sound of his own panicked breathing and the muffled thuds of his struggle. The arms holding him were unyielding, the fabric of the bag cutting into his skin, stealing his breath. Tomas's thoughts grew frenzied as he felt himself being carried away. “Please, brother, don't do this!” He cried out, his voice raw and desperate.

But the arms didn’t loosen their grip. They only grew stronger, carrying him through the tunnels with a swiftness that spoke of urgency. The creature in him wanted to fight back, to escape, but the human part of him knew that this was for the best. He had seen the fear in Hanzo’s eyes, felt the weight of his own guilt. If he had hurt the boy, if he had...

He couldn’t bear to think of it.

The arms holding him grew colder as they moved, and the smell of death grew fainter. Finally, he was set down, his back pressing against a sturdy wooden pole, the splinters poking into his spine. His hands were pulled behind him and bound tightly. He thrashed and screamed, begging for mercy, for an end to the pain. The fabric around his neck grew damp with his tears, making it harder to breathe.

“Shh, Tomas. It’s okay,” a voice said softly. It was Kuai Liang, his voice thick with unshed tears. He worked quickly, his hands shaking as he secured the last knot. “You’re going to be okay. I’m going to take care of you.”

The bag was ripped from Tomas’s head and the world swam back into focus. Kuai Liang’s tear-stained face stared back at him. Tomas swallowed hard. “Brother...why?”

Kuai Liang didn’t meet his gaze. “You know why,” he murmured. His voice was devoid of anger, only sadness remained.

“Please, no,” Tomas begged, his eyes pleading.

Kuai Liang’s expression was one of pained resolve. “You know I don’t want to do this,” he said, his voice trembling.

“Then don’t!” Tomas’s eyes searched Kuai Liang’s, desperation etched in every line of his face.

Kuai Liang took a step back, his hands shaking as he summoned his pyromancy, the fire crackling to life around his palms. Tomas's eyes widened in fear, his body jerking against the bonds that held him in place.

"Kuai Liang, no!" Tomas choked out, his voice hoarse from the fabric that had been suffocating him. "I don't want to die!"

Kuai Liang took another step back, his eyes never leaving Tomas's. "You're already gone," he murmured, the fire in his hands growing brighter, the heat scorching the air around them.

Tomas stopped struggling as he let out a sound that could have been mistaken for a scoff. “…Fuck,” it sighed. “Well, I guess you’re not easy to fool…”

Kuai Liang’s eyes filled with tears as the creature’s eyes turned black once more, attempting to lunge at him. “You pathetic fuck!” It spat, the creature’s voice a twisted mockery of Tomas’s.

With a heavy heart, Kuai Liang raised his hands, the fire crackling and dancing in the palms of his hands. He took a deep breath, his chest tight with grief. “Goodbye, little brother,” he murmured, and with a flick of his wrists, fire engulfed Tomas.

The creature’s eyes widened as its flesh began to melt. “…motherfucker!” It shrieked, writhing and contorting in the flames, the sound of sizzling skin and crackling bones filling the cavernous space. The stench of burning flesh filled the air, making Kuai Liang’s stomach turn. He kept the flames going, his eyes squeezed shut, his entire body trembling with the effort of holding onto the spell.

“I’ll kill you! Like I killed your whore!” It roared, the flames reflecting off the beast’s blackened eyes as it writhed in agony. Kuai Liang’s heart felt like it had been ripped out, but his resolve remained unshaken. He knew what he had to do.

The creature's screams grew louder, the sound of burning flesh echoing through the tunnels, mixing with the crackle of the fire. The flames grew higher, wrapping around Tomas like a living, fiery shroud. Kuai Liang clenched his fists, the fire growing brighter and hotter.

Finally, the screams stopped, the creature's body falling limp against the wooden pole. Kuai Liang dropped his arms, the fire extinguishing as if it had never been there. He stumbled back, his body shaking uncontrollably, his eyes never leaving the charred remains of what was once his brother.

He sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he let out a gut-wrenching sob. "Tomas," he whispered, his voice breaking. The weight of what he had done settled on his shoulders, a crushing burden that no amount of training could have prepared him for.

The silence was deafening, broken only by the crackling of the fire slowly devouring the creature's remains. Kuai Liang felt hollow, as if a part of him had been burned away with Tomas. He slowly stood, his legs feeling like jelly, and untied the corpse from the wooden pole. The creature's blackened body slumped to the ground, a pitiful heap of ash and charred bone.

He searched around the room for another blanket to cover the remains of his brother, his eyes stinging with tears. He found one and gently placed it over the smoldering pile, the fabric immediately singeing from the intense heat. He stepped back and took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to hold back the sob that threatened to break free. The weight of his grief was too much to bear, but he knew he had to be strong for Hanzo and the others.

Turning away from the gruesome scene, Kuai Liang made his way back to the group, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had just done. The memory of Tomas's human eyes, filled with pain and fear, haunted him. He knew there was no coming back from this. The creature was gone, but so was the brother he had once known. Fresh tears made their way down his cheeks as he made his way back, he wasn’t quite sure where he was going, hopefully, he could follow the sounds of life.