Living In Darkness 16

Alex sat at her desk doing some paper works. At first, she was able to concentrate on her work, but after a while, her mind began drifting off. She tried to push her thoughts aside and concentrate on what she had to do, but it was no use. After a few minutes, she put the papers to the side and got up from her seat. She walked over to the window and looked out of it. There wasn't much activity going on out on the base, mainly because it was a weekend.

Alex let out a long sigh. It has been a month since Special Forces sent Kenshi out to his mission to look for Cyrax. And it was only a few days ago that Cyrax came back to Earthrealm safely. Sadly, Kenshi was still out there. Alex placed a hand over her stomach. Just inside her was a little life waiting to be born.

Kenshi, Alex thought. Please come home soon. I'm not the only one waiting for your safe return.

She didn't notice that Cyrax came in until he spoke. "How goes the paper work?"

Alex turned her head to face the cyborg. "Hey," she replied. "I can't concentrate on those papers. I can't stop thinking about the mission. It's been over a month since we sent Kenshi out to look for you. Plus I haven't heard from Sonya since I last talked to her about how you got back here. I wish I was out there helping them, even if it meant a miscarriage. I'd rather be out there helping than to sit here and keep wondering in my mind what's going on."

Cyrax walked over to Alex and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Alex. I'm sure they're going through something big right now. Hopefully they'll all come home safe."

"I hope so too," Alex replied. She lifted her hand and placed it over Cyrax's. Then, she looked back out the window.

***

Sonya Blade, Jax Briggs, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Kung Lao, Frost, and Bo' Rai Cho made their way up a large hill. All were silent as they went up, unsure of what lies ahead of them. When they finally reached the top of the hill, they noticed what looked like a palace. It was mostly red and gray and mainly made out of concrete. But there was another feature at the palace that caught everyone's attention. There was what looked like a green swirl, which shot up as high as the sky could get. The souls everyone has been following headed inside the palace. Some more souls headed straight towards the swirl and flew around it a few times before being sucked right into it.

Kung Lao growled. "Shang Tsung."

"He's obviously here," said Sub-Zero.

"And I will finally avenge Liu Kang."

Bo' Rai Cho looked over at Kung Lao. "Do not let your taste for revenge take over you. You do not want that to happen."

Kung Lao sighed. Indeed the old master was right. He shouldn't let vengeance get in the way. If he let that happen, he would end up in the same places as all of the souls Shang Tsung has collected for many years.

"Well, let's get going," said Johnny as he began walking towards the palace.

Everyone else followed except Sonya and Jax. The two agents looked up at the palace. Then, Jax turned to Sonya. "Can I ask you one thing before we head off?"

Sonya turned her head towards her Special Forces partner and awaited her answer.

"When you last talked to Alex, how come you didn't tell her about the possibility of Kenshi's life being at stake?"

Sonya sighed. "I don't want her to be more worried than she already is. Just by telling her will raise her worries and fears even more. Just imagine the outcome if Heaven forbids we find Kenshi dead. It's best that she doesn't know until we're sure about what's going on, especially for her health, the baby especially."

Jax only nodded in reply. Then the two agents followed their allies into the palace.

They made their way into the palace. There were dead skeletons in armor standing in straight line holding various weapons in their hands. All of them walked through the palace with determination on their faces as they prepared themselves for what's to come.

Then, they walked into what looked like the main room. It was there that they found the base of the green swirl they spotted outside. Johnny then spotted three shadows, two of them creature-like, holding what looks like a normal human.

"Look," he said to the others. He pointed at what he saw. Everyone followed and noticed the shadowed figures.

"What's going on over there?" asked Bo' Rai Cho.

It was then that the two creatures hurled the other person they were holding right into the green swirl. The person emerged from the shadows and everyone got a good look of who it was. It was Sub-Zero who said this person's name.

"Scorpion."

Scorpion's eyes glowed yellow and he stretched out his hand as if he was reaching for something. The souls inside the green swirl pulled him in until everyone could no longer see him. Then, the sounds of limbs being ripped off was heard and some blood poured out from the green swirl. Everyone looked at the green swirl, shocked by what just happened.

Sub-Zero turned to the others. "Scorpion must've got out of the Netherealm when Quan-Chi did. He must've tried to go after him."

"What are you talking about?" asked Sonya.

Sub-Zero explained. "When I last fought with Scorpion, I was barely conscious when Scorpion said that he was avenged the death of his family and clan. I told him that I wasn't the killer and that it was someone else. Then, Quan-Chi came by and admitted that he was the true killer. He tried sending Scorpion back to the 5th plane of the Netherealm, but then Scorpion attacked Quan-Chi. The last thing I could remember was the both of them disappearing before darkness took over me."

"If that's the case," said Frost. "Then this Quan-Chi guy's not too far from us."

"Look," said Sonya suddenly. Everyone looked at her and noticed that she was looking at something. Everyone looked at where she was looking and noticed a young Asian woman lying on the floor. It looked at though she must've died not too long ago as her body was slowly beginning to turn blue.

"They're definitely not too far," said Jax.

"And indeed you're correct," said a voice. Everyone looked up and noticed a figure in the shadows not too far from the dead woman. When the figure emerged from the shadows, they realized who they were dealing with.

"Quan-Chi,' said Bo' Rai Cho.

"That is correct," Quan-Chi replied.

It was then that the two creatures behind them took notice of Quan-Chi. They walked out from the shadow, their looks giving chills up everyone's spine. One of them was dark green and tall with three yellow eyes. Two of the eyes were in normal places while the third was on it's forehead. It also held a black ball with it's massive hand.

The other was just as hideous with no skin, only muscles and bones showing. It wore a colorful mask, most likely to hide it's face. An iron club with spikes covered it's right arm.

The second creature pointed it's clubbed arm at Quan-Chi. "There you are! Now you shall die for betraying up!"

The other creature roared and the two ran towards Quan-Chi. Quan-Chi smirked and immediately took out a golden object. A green jewel in the middle glowed and suddenly, the two creatures stopped in their tracks.

Quan-Chi grinned with delight. "This amulet is sure worth having. And to think Shang could get away with forming an alliance with these two Oni demons, Moloch and Drahmin, and to think that I wouldn't know. He couldn't be any more pathetic. Now that I got that pest, Scorpion, out of the way, it's your turn to face my wrath."

"Not so fast!" someone cried out. Everyone turned around and noticed a young-looking woman coming from behind them. Her extremely long dark hair was tied back in a ponytail and a blue cloth covered from her nose to her chin. She also wore a blue swimsuit-like outfit with netting sewn in the middle, blue knee-high boots, and blue elbow-length gloves. In her hands were two fans with sharp blades in the middle.

"Kitana!" cried Sonya.

"It's good to see you all again," Kitana replied. "But we'll chat later. Right now we've got business to take care of."

It was then that Kung Lao realized something. "Where's Shang Tsung?"

Quan-Chi's grin turned into a smirk. "He's taking care of business, there's no need to worry about him."

"Worry?!" Kung Lao growled in anger. "He killed Liu!"

Kitana looked over at Kung Lao in shock, her brown eyes widened. "Liu's dead?"

"That's right," said Quan-Chi. "And soon you will be joining him in the Soulnado," he pointed to the green swirl behind him. "Actually, you'll just go in the Soulnado, Shang kept Liu's soul for himself."

"Quit talking and bring it!" demanded Jax.

"As you wish." He raised the amulet in the air. The green jewel in the middle glowed once again. Suddenly, the eyes of the skeletons around them glowed and they began moving about. Then they faced Quan-Chi as if they were waiting for their orders.

Quan-Chi let out a laugh. "The Deadly Alliance has begun. Every single one of the soldiers of the Dragon King's undefeatable army has a soul and are ready to conquer Outworld and Earthrealm. But first, they will begin by destroying you mortals." He pointed to the mortals, then looked over at the army. "ATTACK!!!!!!!"

***

Kenshi could sense it. The chi of the souls he has been following since coming to Outworld grew more stronger than ever.

This could be it, Kenshi thought. I may finally get to Shang Tsung after all of these years!

As he walked forward, Kenshi could feel the soil underneath his feet. Then, after taking a few more steps, he began to feel concrete. Kenshi stopped on his tracks. Then, he could feel a bit of coldness around his left wrist.

Kenshi knew exactly where that coldness was coming from. He brought both hands in front of him. Then, he took his right hand over to his left wrist and touched the cold bracelet with his fingertips. It was the bracelet Alex had given him right before he went through the portal. Kenshi sighed to himself. It's been over a month since she has been in his presence. He still hoped that she was okay along with everyone else at the Special Forces base.

Don't worry Alex, he thought. I'll get home as soon as I can.

It was then that he could hear someone coming out from somewhere. Kenshi sniffed a little as he slowly began to reach his hand towards the hand of his sword. "Who's there?" he demanded.

The figure walked a little closer to him.

"Answer me!" Kenshi ordered.

Then, the figure spoke. "You've become a bit more aggressive since the last time I saw you. As a matter of fact, I was the last person you ever saw."

Kenshi immediately lashed his sword out and pointed it toward the figure. "It's you, sorcerer!"

"Indeed it is," Shang Tsung replied. Kenshi could sense that Shang too held a weapon in his head just by the stench of the metal. "Are you here to join your ancestors?"

"No!" Kenshi exclaimed. "I am here to eliminate you and free my ancestors. I spent the last ten years searching for you. It ends here, sorcerer!"

Shang laughed a little. "You did yourself pretty well for a blind man. I thought I had killed you ten years ago. This time, I'll make sure that you're dead for good and then we'll see how much of a fool you are. Prepare to die, swordsman."

"And same goes for you." Kenshi started running closer to Shang. Shang did the same. They both lashed their swords at each other and the two swords collided, signaling the beginning of their sword duel.