OutWorld {RP Area}

[Lord English]

Tenebrae had thought about asking Sub-Zero why his brother was such an asshole, but she refrained seeing as most of her brothers weren’t exactly the goody-two-shoes either. She looked to Kabal who wasn’t talking really other than giving her a stare. She then saw Noob had come back and smirked. She stood herself up even though she wasn’t ready but wanted to keep training. Noob had noticed Terror didn’t show up and knew what his choice was. He then placed his hand out to tell her to rest. Tenebrae growled a bit but she sat herself back down and huffed, staring at a fire in the distance. It was like this until she could move without much pain, which was a few days later. She then started to train again and was faring better. He decided to let her start fighting back when she got quicker at it, her almost starting to perform it as if it was second nature. When she was tired, he let her rest and they continued when she was ready. By the second day, she was able to use her soul teleport as if she was breathing.
From that day, she spent her time sparring with him, increasing her ability by 32% within the first three months. She was barely starting to show and he wanted to stop giving such intense training given her condition, but that only made her complain. She even dug a hole to do push-ups over for later down the line, she wasn’t giving up easy. She didn’t understand why Kabal still seemed not too talkative to her since she had given him the good news, instead going to him. She asked him for just one more time, before she got further down. He reluctantly agreed, making love to her. This was when they seemed to spark, the flesh touching actually showing their flaming passions and a joy of what was to come. When they finished, they dressed and he helped her up to do what she wanted to do, train.
They trained until the beginning of her ninth month, her ability having increased by 83%. She still wanted to continue training despite the fact that time was nearing, her being forced to stop because of the possibility of hurting the children. She and Kabal had grown much closer and her group was more tightly knit. Some of the others who had been chasing after her before and a few others had joined since then, her following growing. Over the next couple of weeks, she was restless and wanted to train but was kept off her feet, entirely not by her choice. When the time came, everyone was helping in some form or another. Some of them used their bodies as a wall so no one could see in, Kabal held her hand for it despite her being a little rough with it, Smoke acted as a guard and kept unwanted people from the area such as her father, the others were directly helping with the births. The order was a boy, a girl, another girl, and then a boy. The first two and the last one all had dark hair, the third one’s hair seemed see through from lack of pigmentation. The first had red eyes, the second and last having green, while the third’s eyes glowed. They were given the names Rapèl, Spera, Loraj, and Diligite.
There was a balance held between training, beating the living daylights out of those still hunting her, and caring for the kids for the first couple of months. One of the times she fought her father while Spera was suckling. This only helped her raise her skill more progressively though at the same time it was slowed by the breaks to care for the children. At the starting of their second month in life, there was a highly unwelcomed visitor, Shinnok. Tenebrae placed her children in the care of some of the weaker members of the group as she stood forward with the stronger members of her entourage, one of them would have been Terror as he stayed to train with Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke. Noob even appeared to stand with them. Tenebrae gave a glare and said to her grandfather, “Your presence isn’t welcome here.”
Shinnok gave a foul smirk and said, “Is it too much to ask to see my great grandchildren?”
“Yes,” Tenebrae sneered at him, “Now back the fuck off.” She didn’t advance but instead held her ground, not taking her eyes off him.
Shinnok tried to twist her, “Such hostility towards family, you look and act so much like your father.” He took a step forward.
Tenebrae broke forward and pressed her palm out to attempt a strike on his chest. He was stunned that she had lashed out that quickly but pressed her strike to the side so he would be behind her. She twisted her torso so her elbow would hit him in the nose and followed the strike around with a roundhouse kick to his side. The elbow caught him off guard but he blocked the leg. He moved to strike with his fist to her back, her bending forward as her leg came in and she kept turning. She brought her fist up from below as she stood back up and made sure the angle was at his gut. He bent over as the fist made contact and she brought her head over and around his to head butt his head downwards, knocking him to the ground. She then spat at him and said, “I told you to go the fuck away.” She stepped back so if he did get up, he could go away. She also didn’t want him to pull any tricks out of his sleeve.
“Touchy,” He grunted and stood himself up, “Where did you get so much strength from?”
“Not from my father’s side,” She smirked and said, “I suggest you leave before my nephew gets antsy, he’s tougher than I am.” Shinnok stood up and darted to the side of Tenebrae to make for the opening in the line. This lead to him getting clotheslined by Terror’s arm. Tenebrae turned and walked to the fallen male and picked him up by his clothes and tossed him away from their place. Tenebrae turned back around and said, “Last chance to run. Come at us once more and you won’t be able to even crawl away.”
Shinnok got himself up and glared at them, “I was wrong, you’re nothing like any of us. You’re not a Khan, you’re a wimp.” He started walking away.
She yelled at him as he got further away, “NONE OF US ARE LIKE ANY OF YOU ANYMORE SO THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT, ASSHOLE!” She sighed and when he was out of sight, she turned back to her children to make sure the whole thing hadn’t spooked them.
Terror turned to her and asked, “Want me to go after him and finish this?”
Tenebrae held the only one that seemed spooked, little Loraj. She looked at him and her voice was soft, “Nah, I don’t think he’ll come around for a while now.”
Terror smirked and turned to Smoke, “Get your ass up, I am not finished with you.”
Tenebrae watched them go back to it as she held the cute little Loraj to calm her. She noted that Rapèl was laughing his little ass off. Her eyes focused in on his soul and saw that he was the one with taint, looking away with a touch of sadness. She hadn’t checked which one until now. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked back to Kabal. She felt light shocking from Loraj and looked down at her, shushing her gently. “What’s bothering you?” He asked her as he moved more to her side, facing her.
“I finally peeked at their souls,” Tenebrae spoke in a near whisper, “Now I know which one will be trouble.” She felt a light shock as Loraj got worked up again, stopping herself from showing the pain and gently rocking her. “It’s Rapèl… But a little bit of taint doesn’t mean he won’t be a good child.” She was trying to reassure herself.
“He’ll be fine,” Kabal assured her, looking at the children.
Spera had a tiny little horn forming on her nose, a sign of having an Animality that was similar to that of her father’s. Rapèl didn’t seem to really show signs other than shadows seeming to pull to him. Loraj had obvious issues shocking people when she was excited or scared. Diligite was showing signs of sorcery as he could change various parts of his body to morph but not for too long. Once little Loraj was calm, Tenebrae handed her over to Kabal and went to Noob, bowing to him properly in dragon style. “I am ready to continue if you are,” She spoke to Noob as she erected herself, her head never lowering as to keep an eye on her opponent.
Noob glanced at her and said, “No, it’s your turn through the prison again.”
Tenebrae stood up and peeked back at the others then at Noob once more. She was hesitating but said, “Last time I was there, I lost a tit.”
“Last time you were there, you had more than just the prison to worry about,” Noob rejected this thought and knew she was worried about her children. “All you need to do is break into the prison, go to the deepest part, then break back out. Your children will be with their father and the others, no need to worry.”
“I’d rather go find that sorcerer again,” Tenebrae spoke up and stood against her master for this brief moment.
Noob shook his head, “No, I would have to rechain you.”
“Then rechain me, I don’t give a rats ass,” She spoke very forward, “It isn’t like I am going to leave anyways, you still have your end to uphold.”
“No,” Noob spoke firm. “To the prison, after you’re done I may reconsider.”
Tenebrae respected his choice and followed him to the prison, being dropped off to start her task. It took her 75 days (approximately two months and fifteen days) to break into the lowest part and work her way back out. Three fourths of her body was covered in scars but she was mostly intact. She walked and found her way back to the grouping and the first thing she did was hug onto Kabal while he was holding Spera and Rapèl. Her muscles had increased from the traps by 8% but she was so gentle with them. She whispered into his ear, “I missed you all.”
Kabal leaned his head on her and said, “We missed you too.”
She let him go then took a look at her two other little ones. She placed a hand on Loraj and Diligite as she smiled at them. She noticed now that she could consistently look at the other’s souls, just from her looking so much when she was in the prison now it was little effort to nearly have it on constantly. This made her understand that her brother didn’t mean to perv on her children’s souls but that his sight was on nearly constantly. She approached Noob once more and bowed in respect, silently and firmly. She kept her head up to him but did not rise until he motioned that it was alright to. She stood and asked, “May I speak?”
“Freely,” Noob said, “I am no king.”
Tenebrae nodded and asked, “Now may I? You can chain me once more when I am out. I will not leave the realm. I just want to learn what I can from him.”
“What do you think you can learn?” Noob asked her, seeing if she knew the answer.
“He is a greater sorcerer and I heard them talk of him on my way back out,” Tenebrae spoke much more maturely. “I believe I can learn to further my soul abilities under his direction or I can just overtake his soul and learn them the quick way. I prefer to learn them the hard way.”
Noob thought on it then bound her in physical and soul chains. Tenebrae stood firm in them and knew why this was being done. Noob called Terror over and said, “Take her to Quan Chi’s prison, and if she does not win, do not let her out.”
Tenebrae took a deep breath and calmed her thoughts and before she was drug too far she yelled back to him, “How am I supposed to take it if I am already bound?”
“You have the ability, just focus,” Noob assured her.
Tenebrae closed her eyes a bit as she was being carried there, thinking about what she had to do. She decided to ask Terror a question as she was being drug, “Was my brother a good father?”
Terror was silent for a bit, then answered, “Yes, he did what was right for us all to survive.”
Tenebrae smirked a bit then lost it as she asked, “Should I forgive mine?”
“No,” Terror spoke straight forward, “He doesn’t know what it means to be a father, pitting his children against each other.”
Tenebrae nodded a bit and then spoke seriously, “If I don’t succeed, help Kabal with the children… They don’t deserve to live in a land of the dead… Promise me.”
“I have no idea of how to be a father myself,” Terror spoke.
“Then do what you think is right…” She said, “I want your blood on this to assure their safety. You know how to do a blood oath, right?”
Terror would put her down and placed her sitting with her head back. He held out his hand and sliced the palm. The blood fell down and under her tongue, “I swear on my blood.” He picked her back up over his shoulder then and said, “Not like I would let you lose to that perverted bastard anyways, no way am I dealing with four kids for the rest of my life.”
Tenebrae chuckled then went silent until they got there. She was mentally preparing herself. She didn’t expect for Terror to come in holding her, she could see Quan Chi’s soul through Terror’s body even if his soul floated in the way every now and again. Terror had seemingly just snapped his fingers and his brother appeared at his side. She heard him speak, “I recognize you. You’re the bitch that came in here then escaped in the blink of an eye. Who are they?”
Tenebrae said, “My nephews, and they kick ass.” She took a deep breath to assure herself she could do this. “Right now, my soul is going to kick your soul’s ass.” Tenebrae focus and pulled his locked soul from his body and into hers. She writhed a bit where his body went limp, her focusing though curling against the shoulder of Terror as the souls fought for control in her. Within twenty seven minutes, she seemed to be mostly in control and took deep breaths as she rocked, pretty much beating her head on Terror. She asked, “Do you think… Doing this was wrong?”
Terror simply said, “Let’s get this finished up with.” He looks at Quan Chi’s body and prepares a mind freeze in his hand and said, “Give up now or you’ll face worse.”
Tenebrae felt the soul quell, fast. She took a deeper breath as her body relaxed, keeping her breaths deep and even. She knew she was close to winning but he gave the extra push. She said to him, “Thank you… Now, can I go back to my children and my love?”
Terror nodded and let his brother leave, taking her back to the grouping. She was unchained all but to the realm and Noob watched her carefully. She had moments where he would try to fight back in her but she was getting great at quelling him. She practiced her new skills as she figured them out. Mostly ripping souls from people still trying to fight her and rereleasing them to the nether. She cared for her children as well in between. She wasn’t letting her physical training slip either, sparring from time to time to keep up her manual skills to her sorcery. She continued this until her children’s first birthdays. She held the best little party she could for them and her group had grown again since then. The only ones that seemed to truly want to stand against her was Shinnok and Shao Khan. By this celebration, her abilities had increased by 19% and they’d smuggled in enough stuff from the ‘black market’ that they even had a cake for the little ones. Rapèl decided to stick his head into the cake then shoved the other siblings into it. Tenebrae sighed and cleaned them off, “Save the cake for everyone, it’s not just for you four.”
“Mine!” Loraj yelled out and waved her arms in the air, sparks coming off of her.
“Shush, everyone’s,” Tenebrae smiled and kissed her forehead.
“Unca Hishi!” Spera pointed at Terror with cake all over her face still. Tenebrae cleaned her face off before Spera could fully get his attention. She waved her hands in the air to get him to come over. Terror would come over and pick her up. She pointed at the cake and said, “Unca Hishi!” Terror cut out a chunk of cake that was not smashed in and took it, carrying her with him.
Rapèl had tried to grab the knife and he pointed at it and said, “Bitch.”
Tenebrae picked him up and said, “You don’t say that. Where’d you learn that word?”
“Bitch!” Rapèl repeated so Tenebrae gave him a firm tap on the ass. He whimpered but then started giggling.
“Ug, I need to figure out how to punish you in a way you don’t enjoy it…” Tenebrae was frustrated.
Kabal was helping by wiping off Diligite’s face and said, “Try snuggling him.”
Tenebrae rolled her eyes a bit but tried it anyways. Sure enough, Rapèl was struggling to try and get away from her. She smirked and looked to Kabal and said, “Thanks hun.”
When she felt he’d been punished enough, she let him down. That was when she looked out and saw a soul she didn’t want coming there arriving. She walked out and noted that it was two souls, Shinnok and Shao Khan together. She cracked her neck, it’d taken them long enough. They stopped a ways out and Shinnok stepped forward to speak, “I want to see my great grandchildren.”
“You both know you aren’t welcome here,” Tenebrae spoke up fiercely, “What are your true intentions?”
“What do you mean?” Shinnok spoke, “We just want to see our kin.”
“I am not an idiot,” Tenebrae was firm and ready to fight, “State your business or feel your soul ripped from your form to float and become again elsewhere…”
“You want to fight me with sorcery in a place that drains magic?” Shinnok was nearly laughing at her, “I have been here thousands of years, I am more than accustomed.”
“You are fallen,” Tenebrae got into dragon stance staring at the two of them, looking back at the party and saying, “You guys keep the party going, this is my fight.” She whipped her head back around to them and caught her father’s oncoming fist, pushing him back in a feat of strength as her other hand reached to his chest and ripped his soul right out. She held it in her hand for a moment then released it to the nether and let the body drop. She smirked and looked at Shinnok, “Leave or fall again to suffer what he just had.”
Shinnok got ready to fight her and said, “You can’t stand up to me.”
“If you can see souls, look very closely at mine,” Tenebrae smirked and gave him the chance.
He did check and saw what soul was merged into hers. “You took Quan Chi’s soul?”
Tenebrae giggled and struck at him instead of answering. She did a strike like their first encounter but on each block and after he struck back, she vanished into her own soul and teleported above him as she let herself back out. She slammed down heels first onto him then as he was on the ground, ripped the soul out and released it. She smirked and walked back to the party, enjoying that she was showing much improvement.
Tenebrae had been trained to do the mind freeze with her own twist on it to suit her abilities. Even with the children stumbling, they were beginning to be taught how to fight after their birthday. When it came Terror’s time to leave, they finally understood that he was their cousin and not their uncle. Spera latched onto his ankle and cried, “No cousin Hashi…”
He would lean down and touch her oath on her neck and say, “If you need me, I am always right here.”
As he started to walk away after prying her off, she was curious and smacked it. It pulled him back. She smiled and then he walked away again. She smacked it again and said, “No go…”
Tenebrae picked her up and held her hand down. “Spera, your cousin Hashi-Li needs to go. He will come back but don’t use your oath unless it is an emergency, like if mommy and daddy aren’t there and you’re in deep trouble.”
Spera nodded and gripped onto her mother. She waved good bye to him, as did the other children. Then Spera made grippy hands to be given to her father. Tenebrae passed her to him and Spera held onto him. Tenebrae picked up Loraj who was on her ankle.

Terror had gone to see Venir after he’d left them, catching Venir while he was eating and relaxing in the palace. Venir looked at Terror and sat up and greeted him, “Welcome.” Terror kicked the table and knocked it into Venir and knocked him in the chair over. Venir placed his hand on his chest and said, “That was rude…”
“You shouldn’t have lied to me,” Terror spoke fiercely to him.
“Lied about what?” Venir tried to get up, just to get kicked through a wall. He rested in the chunks and huffed as he said, “Just tell me what the hell I lied about!”
Terror would walk up and get close to Venir’s face and said, “What is the only thing that I ever took pride in?” He held out his hand and formed a ball of cryomancer energy.
Venir saw it and knew what he meant as he said, “I never said I didn’t take her soul so how am I lying?”
The energy Terror let out destroyed the castle around them Venir braced himself as he skidded back and was torn by it. “I told her she would walk among our ancestors…” He was fierce and ready to tear him apart.
Venir stayed lying down but he said, “Then you could have just asked for me to take her out instead of breaking my home and killing innocents.”
“Anyone that is on your side is not innocent, don’t think me still a child. I learned everything from your sister,” He made sure his point was made, “And my fury has killed no one, just look around.”
Venir took a look and noted no one was indeed killed, just hurt. He saw the bottom hadn’t collapsed so his two torture toys were alright. He forced himself to sit and he choked out, “She doesn’t know everything… She’s just a worthless child deemed perfect for her forsaken looks… She didn’t even show when her father’s will was read… She had a Tarkata show up instead… A slave…”
“Your father is a bitch that I made bow and crawl away,” He sneered at him.
“That’s what I had set out to prove…” Venir chuckled, “How would a king end but by choking on his own blood?”
Terror would move closer to Venir’s face and said, “I have what you all search for, I am your king.” He would get up and walk away.
Venir watched as he went away and just was in shock. He lied back down and just thought over what was said as he left.

Regir had been wandering through the OutWorld and wound up running into Terror. He nodded his head and wasn’t going to speak until Terror spoke to him but made an exception, “It is a pleasure to see a friendly face again.”
Terror would bow to Regir, Regir bowing back to him. “I have found what your siblings search for,” He spoke, “I have but one request, do not battle Tenebrae when the time comes, as I do not want to fight with my uncle.”
Regir nodded and got down onto one knee, bowing fully to him and saying, “Then I shall respect your wishes, even if you give it to her, for now you are my emperor and my faction shall not falter from your command.”
Terror will turn to him and said, “She will not be your empress, she will be your guardian. Tell no one.”
Regir raised his head slightly and said, “Yes, my lord.”
Terror would vanish using his mark to travel to the next one.

Vendict was in his war room, Reiko’s old bedroom as he was planning on how to proceed with storming some of the other factions. Soldiers split as a being walked up to the table. Vendict would look up at Terror and give him a nod to speak. “I have what you and your siblings have been searching for,” Terror was direct.
Vendict rose up and then bowed to him as did all of the soldiers. “My Emperor, we’re at your command,” Vendict did not raise himself but crossed his right arm over his chest.
“Gather in ten years at the castle,” Terror spoke directly to him.
“Yes sir,” Vendict did not rise but bowed deeper.
Terror would bow back and move on.

Kaos was with her faction and they were planning. Terror approached her and said, “I have what the others seek, if you want a great hunt then hunt me.” He released his Animality and ran off. Kaos smirked with sheer excitement and her blue fire ripped her lion out as the polar werewolf took off. Her entire faction took to different animal forms and took her charge after her.

Domme was minding her own business when she could feel Terror return. She ran to go greet him with a hug, despite him feeling different. She would be scooped into his arms and he would press his head into her neck and said, “It’s nice to smell beauty.”
He took down his hood and his hair fell. Domme giggled as she blushed and said, “It’s nice to see you are finally back too! You need a trim, babe.” She kissed his forehead, she had truly missed him.
Sepht would be following Dread as they were walking, coming to Terror to greet him. They were only shortly followed by Deverik and Cicle. Deverik looked Terror over and said, “You’ve grown.”
Terror would walk over and lift both of his parents, kissing his mother on the head. “It is great to be home, even if it is for such a short time, I am only here for the night,” He explained. He nodded to Dread.
Dread nodded back and said, “You have the first piece.”
Terror looked back to Deverik and said, “I have what your siblings seek.”
Domme clapped her hands and said, “Oh my gosh! You are kidding me! Awesome!”
Sepht smirked and said, “So he’s the emp, that’s nice.”
Deverik understood that he hadn’t claimed it but that he knew where it was upset him. He did smirk a bit beneath his mask and said to him, “Please… Be careful what you do from here… Not all of them will respect you and not all of them will be easily fooled…” He hoped his son knew what he meant.
Terror looked to his father and held out his hand and showed the true power of a cryomancer. “I have spoken and learned from your master’s master.” In his other hand was the chain of Scorpion. “I am well prepared for your siblings now.” He then said, “Oh and here’s a gift from your sister.” He touched Deverik’s neck and his mark reappeared.
Deverik felt it and smirked. “Which sister? I have many…” He hid his pride in his son taking to learn from the teachers of his own teachers. Terror would hold his eye for a moment then showed the eye of a sorcerer that could see souls. Deverik smirked and said, “If you see her again, thank her for me.”
“Okay, let’s eat,” Terror said with a smile. “I haven’t eaten in a couple years.”
Deverik arranged for a feast for Terror and the clan, treating it as a celebration of his return though through it despite a smile and most with their masks off, he left his on to hide how he was feeling. He kept rubbing his hand on his covered neck, feeling odd at having that again. After the feast he went to Terror and asked, “I want to show you and your brother something in private…” He didn’t hesitate and walked to his hut. Terror and Dread would look to each other and follow. Once they were in the hut and it was closed, Deverik took off his headgear and said to them, “I feel you should see…” He takes off his chest piece and the under armor to reveal the scars he’d kept despite his healing guardianship, the words of ‘I am human’ and ‘I am not my father’ etched into his flesh by his own blade. “I did this in ChaosRealm and only my masters and your mother know.”
Terror would pull aside and show his chest from shoulder to shoulder with the words ‘death is all I deserve’ etched into him. “It seems we are more alike than we thought.”
Dread shook his head and said, “You both are just psychotic.”
Deverik legitimately smiled and chuckled a bit. “Perhaps, now, Terror, you should rest. If you are to continue your journey you should be as well as you can be.” He then looked to Dread and said, “And you have my sister to attend to.” He placed his armor back on and then said, “Oh and Terror, when you are ready to settle if it is here that you choose, I will give you something if you have not taken the other for yourself.”
Terror would then return to Domme, who was waiting for him happily. She was in his bed and half naked. Terror would start removing his armor, making her just want to jump him. He went into bed with her. Afterwards, they would sleep together. At dawn, he would leave and move on, back to OutWorld.

Zerek was amongst the Tarkata, fortifying their hideout. Terror would walk in with his hands out, showing that he was no threat. Zerek hopped off a wall and smirked to Terror and said, “Hey there, you helped in our time of need despite not knowing myself and the others. I forgot to thank you.”
Terror would say, “Don’t thank me just yet. I have found what you and your siblings seek.”
Zerek’s face went from happy to serious. “So you’re the emperor?” He tilted his head a bit as he asked.
“I don’t abide by that name and never will I,” Terror responded.
Zerek began to smile again and asked, “Then what’s going on?”
“Return to the castle in ten years and all will be explained,” Terror spoke swiftly as he touched his mark and vanished.
Zerek nodded his head and said, “Sure thing…”

Tamereth had returned to her main faction in Russia, just surviving in their harsh environment. Terror would approach them and bow to her, “Peace seeker, your wait is almost over. You home will be united under the one I deem worthy.”
Tamereth bowed back and said, “So… The fighting will finally stop and we can all go home?” Her faction began murmuring and cluttering around.
“In ten years time I will come for you when peace has been gained,” He spoke firm.
She paused a moment and said, “What about my altered members?”
Terror blinked and said, “Who?”
“My altered faction members,” She clarified, “They are Shokan, Tarkata, and the like who had extra extremities and such removed to hide and train in the Shirai Kuei so they could protect the rest of us if needed.”
“Oh I am gonna kick my father’s ass,” He spoke as if it was just another secret hidden from him.
Tamereth tilted her head and asked, “Why? He’s a good man.”
“Good man, yes. Keeps secrets from his kids,” Terror spoke with a bit of frustration.
“Don’t kick his ass too hard,” Tamereth spoke in a calm tone, “Sometimes even good must do evil to reach their goals.”
Terror would look away, “Oh I know too well.” He looked back to her and said, “I hold what you all seek.”
Tamereth nodded and said, “I gather this. Also, any Khan would know too well.” She gently tapped her covered mark, not activating it. Terror would bow and vanish, heading to the next area.

Weren was standing near an acid pit, thinking about things and what had happened previously. He looked to his side as he felt Terror appear. He looked right at him and said, “Hello…” His voice was grim and he gazed back out at the acid pit.
Terror would look at the pit and then say, “You don’t know how close you are to the thing you all seek.”
Weren looked at Terror and then at the acid as he said, “I am starting to not even care about that thing anymore… Not after seeing what we could all do together…”
Terror would smile and his tranquility would radiate to Weren. “In ten years time, you will all be gathered as one. All who reject will be dealt with.”
Weren looked at Terror and a smile brushed across his face. He started to walk from him and the pit and said, “You have saved a man’s life today.”
Terror turned and looked at him. “I seem to be getting good at that. Just remember this, I am your ally. I am only a call away.”
Weren stopped and looked back at him, “Even if it is just to talk?”
“You are one of the few I would not block from my thoughts,” Terror spoke back to him.
Weren would bow his head in thanks then turn and continue on his way. He’d feel Terror leave, a smile stuck to his face.

Teror was midst of devouring a Shokan’s innards in her red tiger Animality. Terror would come to her and say, “You stay calm and I will not have to take your life.”
Teror raised her head and she crushed and cracked into her true form, eyes covered by armor. She sniffed him and crossed her arms, “Why do you interrupt my meal?”
Terror would look to her and say, “I have news all of you must hear.”
“All?” She cocked her head.
“You and those that you call siblings,” He spoke to her.
She took another deep whiff of him and said, “You’re related… Which blood bag do you belong to?”
“The second eldest,” He didn’t hesitate, dropping the temperature around them though it seemed to burn.
She smirked a bit as blood ran from her lips and said, “You wouldn’t attack a blind woman, would you?”
Terror said, “I could see through that façade.”
“I am blind though,” Teror chuckled then turned her back to Terror and pulled out the Shokan’s heart and licked it. “So what did you want?”
He looked to her and said, “I have what you and your siblings seek.”
Teror looked at him and burst out into laughter. “I don’t give a fuck about that thing,” She nearly snorted in laughter. “Just blood.”
Terror would raise his hand and cut his hand, letting the blood drip to the ground. She turned and sniffed the blood and locked in on it. Terror would walk up to her and said, “Ignore me again or make fun of my words and it will be the last thing you do.”
Teror smirked and she felt his wolf inside. She chuffed a bit and said, “Fine then, Sir Emperor…”
Terror would tell her, “Be ready in ten years.” He teleported away.

Kael was wandering in his Animality, the large black wolf. Terror would hunt him in his own white polar wolf. Kael spotted him out easy and growled at him, “The fuck you want?”
“I have what you and your siblings seek,” He spoke to him.
Kael sat and wrapped his tail around himself, “I seek nothing but to watch OutWorld burn in its own destruction.”
Terror spoke in all seriousness, “Then I am your enemy.” He would teleport to the next sibling.

Dahk was amongst his faction, which had moved to a closer territory to try to seize the castle. They were in the middle of training, him working on his darkness and how much of it he could control. Terror would walk up to Dahk, Dahk would bow his head to him. Terror would say, “I have what you and siblings seek.”
Dahk smiled a bit and said, “So, it is not my time yet again? And I have once more failed my mother.” He sighed and pushed a rogue hair behind his ear.
Terror would assure him, “I have yet to choose who will lead.”
“What do you mean?” Dahk spoke in confusion, “Aren’t you the emperor if you have that?”
Terror would laugh and say, “Do I look like I am sitting on a throne?”
“You don’t look the type,” Dahk smiled and chuckled a bit himself. “Please tell me what I must do, I owe you doubly.”
“Return to the castle in ten years,” Terror spoke to him.
“Then it shall be done,” Dahk said and bowed his head. Terror would then teleport to the next.

Queno and Quona were in their room away from their faction, teasing each other in the nude. A knock was heard on the door. Only Queno put his armor back on, hiding his true form. Quona answered the door in the nude, “Hey.”
Terror said, “I will never understand my father’s siblings.” He sighed and said, “I have what you and your siblings seek.”
“Sex?” Quona asked, “We got sex.”
Queno stood up and said, “He means the kamithingy…”
“Oh…” Quona said, “The Kamiwhatsitcalled… Yeah it makes for ruling. You have it?” Terror would nod. “Well then, Emperor, would you like some sex with that throne?”
“Just come to the castle in ten years,” He spoke then teleported away.

Myra was fiddling with some metal, trying to raise her ability with it. Terror would come up to her and say, “I have what you and your siblings seek.”
Her head popped up like a prairie dog and said, “Gimme.”
Terror would simply say, “Fuck off.” Teleported away.

Just was practicing against dummy, using her liquid nitrogen to practice what she could do. She was frustrated that it still didn’t look right and just punched and shattered the dummy in frustration. She went to her knees and looked at the ground trying to focus herself. She would see a ball whip past her head and completely freeze a dummy ahead of her. She turned to see Terror with his hand raised. She stood up and bowed out of respect. Terror would bow in return, “I did come to tell you that I have what your siblings look for but I believe you will gain a greater prize today.”
“The greatest prize is having a true warrior capable of cryomancy within my presence,” She rose only slightly to look at him.
He smiled and said, “What about a clan of them.”
Just’s body erected in a snap. “What? You’re not serious?!” He will slowly begin to remove his wraps, showing the blue uniform of the Lin Kuei but the mark on his chest was not that of the Lin Kuei. “Oh… My gods…” She placed her hand on her chest and tried to just contain herself. She had to sit herself down due to being light headed.
Terror said, “I come from the Shirai Kuei, descendants of the Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu.”
“Yeah…” She nodded and held her head, “And I can come?” She was still so excited. “What about my faction?” She pointed to them, they were trying to do as she did.
“First drop those,” He pointed at the liquid nitrogen. “Only I can use true cryomancy as I have learned from Sub-Zero. But we can teach you to use ice in other ways.”
Just looked at her wrists and gladly tore them off. Her men did the same. He had her tie a rope to herself and have all her men hold onto them. When this was done, he teleported her to his home. He had to stop them from rushing to attack her but her group was then accepted. She was confused as to why their leader wore Scorpion armor and didn’t recognize her brother. Terror would then explain everything to his father and where everything was and got them set up. He would then bow to his family and vanish.

Rorik was walking his territory with his faction following suit. Terror was sitting in their path. Rorik’s faction would go on guard but Rorik motioned for them to stand down and just continue the rounds while he stayed put. They moved along and he knelt down to Terror and said, “Hello sir.”
Terror would bow without rising. “I have what your siblings seek.”
“Then it is yours,” Rorik spoke plainly.
“That is yet to be decided,” Said Terror, “I have no plans to be trapped in OutWorld.”
“To be trapped at home is to clip a bird’s wings,” Said Rorik, “I had only wanted to change things for the better here. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been in this mess.”
Terror would look to Rorik, “Then stand before me in ten years at the castle and you will have what you seek.”
Rorik gave a nod and shook himself off a bit, fur flying everywhere. “Thank you.” He stood up and ran on all fours to catch up to his faction. Terror iced the fur off before teleporting to the next one.

Fung and Shuei were mapping out plans to seize the castle. Terror walked up silently and made them jump as he said, “That’s pointless.”
Fung glared at him and said, “What the hell do you mean?”
Shuei glared at Fung and said, “Pointless means pointless, you dumbass.” She looked at Terror and said, “Why is it pointless?”
Fung slipped in, “You’re the dumbass, you whore.”
“Because I made that place fall to the ground,” Terror said.
“That just makes it easier,” Fung said then held a fire in his hand, burning a mark into the plans where the palace was. “I will just burn the survivors and call it a siege.”
Shuei glares at Fung again and said, “That’s not a siege, that’s a fucking slaughter. Let them rebuild and we’ll do this shit right, retard.”
“If anyone’s retarded, it’s you ya ice freak.”
“Talk about yourself, flame retard.”
Terror just watched them go back and forth and wrote down on the map what he wanted to say then teleported out of there.

Deft was surrounded by nude women and was snuggling them. Terror appeared and said, “Do I even want to ask what you want to do with the throne?”
“Probably not,” He responded honestly.
“I have what you all seek.”
“I do like more whores,” Deft said, “So really, as long as I have them I don’t need the throne. Do with it what you will, sire.”
Terror just teleported the fuck out of there.

Trest was pacing as two of his Shokan were testing their child to see if it had any sorcery ability. He was, of course, not in the same room as them. Terror would appear to him and say, “And what’s your story?”
Trest looked at him and said, “All sorcery must be destroyed.” Terror would snap his finger and a flame would appear on the tip of his finger. “I suppose you need to die.”
Terror would get real close to him and smile, “Good luck, none of your siblings have been able to do it yet. I left Venir in a pile of his own blood.”
“That’s just one less sorcerer to be concerned over,” Trest responded and drew his blade. Terror raised the flame as it turned white to the blade and watched the metal melt. Trest pulled his blade away and put it away, “You already helped my cause… I have no quarrel with you.”
Terror would speak this, “Hunt any of those that I set free and your life will be on the line.”
“Not the first threat I’ve received but understood,” He crossed his arms. Terror used his magic to show him what his magic did to Onaga then showed what it would do to him. Trest had a bit of a cold sweat and said, “Understood completely…”
Terror would teleport to the next one.

Li was making plans to move his faction closer to the castle. He then looked up to see Terror pointing at him and he said, “What would your reaction be to me saying I have what your siblings are seeking?”
Li gave him a confused look and said, “If you did, which I hope you don’t, I would ask what my emperor wishes of me.”
“Appear in front of the castle in ten years.” Terror spoke then vanished.

Lin was practicing her forms as Terror appeared. He would watch her demonstrate her fighting style. When she realized she was being watched, she stopped and looked at him and bowed her head. Terror would bow in return. “I have that which you and your siblings seek.”
“How may I serve you?” Lin asked.
“Be in front of the castle in ten years when the emperor is decided,” He said. Then he would teleport.

Despara would be swinging her staff, attempting new forms of light attacks with her staff. “A few more years of that and you’ll be an opponent worth fearing,” Terror said.
Despara would look at Terror and bowed her head a little, “Thank you, I am just trying to get the fighting to stop even if it means fighting to make it stop.”
Terror would nod and bow. “In ten years time, all the fighting will stop. Be in front of the castle and then see who will lead you all.”
“I will be,” Despara nodded and returned to practicing.
Terror would then vanish from there and to order realm.

A year after Venir’s falling, he had rose up and gotten stronger, rebuilding the castle even and had more muscle tone than before. He decided to teleport to EarthRealm to pay his brother a visit, ending up right in front of the gate. Terror, Dread, Deverik, Cicle, and the entire clan showed. Even Noob ended up showing. Venir looked at the sudden army and said, “What the hell do you think I am? A threat?”
“Step one foot onto these ground and you will be annihilated,” Terror was in all white and his skin was rubbed red.
“I did not come with foul intention, but it is clear you’ve had a bad Order day,” Venir placed emphasis on the word ‘order’ as he had heard of such things being done.
Terror would breath in and out at the word order, seething. Deverik would step up and say, “If you mean no foul intention, then what is it you are seeking?”
“Just to speak to you, brother,” Venir spoke openly to him. “That is all.”
Deverik nodded and ignored his sons for a moment, boys will be boys. He lead his brother to his hut and sat down, offering Venir a seat. “What is it you need to talk about?” Noob had sunken into Deverik’s shadow for protection.
Venir waved his hand standing and said, “I wish to ask why you have such a cleaned pair of souls within you but yours is so… dirty.”
“What?” Deverik looked down and said, “As a guardian it is cleaned.”
“But you aren’t the true guardian, are you?” Venir spoke and pushed his hair behind his ear, “You just have a guardian in you.”
A knife was thrown in with a note that read “Fuck off” then the note unfolded and continued “I can see his soul is pure so stop lying”. Deverik turned and saw the note and took a deep breath, “Venir, why would you say such a thing?”
“It was what I see unless it is one of your masters that is tainted,” Venir smirked and said, “onto business that I hope your brat won’t continue listening in on. I would like to discuss that he had attacked me without any prompting.”
Deverik was getting angry though faced him and said, “Please explain.”
“He said I was lying when it was him who lied to our sister,” Venir said, “The one that froze half of OutWorld and killed your guardian.”
Deverik went silent and just stared out and said, “We’ll finish this conversation another time…”
Venir nodded and said, “Just let me know when.” He tapped his teleport and left.
Deverik then just stared at the ground. Noob left his shadow and al returned to their duties. Cicle came into the hut and placed her hand on his shoulder and spoke to him softly, “Somewhere you knew this was true…”
“Maybe,” Deverik didn’t move from where he was and his voice was dark, “Doesn’t mean I wanted to find out…” He stood up and gently brushed Cicle’s hand from his shoulder and went outside and walked a good distance from the grounds before he let his rage peek out. The area around his feet iced over though his flesh was hot to the touch, he sat alone and meditated to speak with his masters within himself.

As years passed through the nether to them, the children’s personalities bloomed. Rapèl was definitely a bad egg, his powers showing darkness and the ability to use only some dark sorceries while everything else about him was physical. Spera was a decent child, showing all of her father’s capabilities and even taking up the hook swords of her own wants. Loraj was a bratty child but good, showing definitive lightening capabilities as her majority of power. Diligite was a respective and quiet child, showing signs of being able to use fire forms of moves that were definitely derived from his great Grandfather. Tenebrae’s skill increased by 51% by the time they were ten years of age. They had a constantly difficult time of keeping track of Rapèl and Loraj since he’d take off to go wreck things while Loraj would refuse to wear clothes and use lightening teleports to get from place to place even if she couldn’t go far. It usually took both Tenebrae and Smoke to catch her, one to make her run right into the other.
Tenebrae was getting sick of Loraj’s attitude and sat her down to try to explain to her, “Loraj, you know where we are yeah?”
“Home, duh,” Loraj said and sat back, “This entire place is home.”
“This isn’t our real home,” Tenebrae tried to explain to her, the other three children gathered to hear this. “Our real home is elsewhere and it’s a place where it’ll be hard to bring daddy with us but for damn sure I will try.”
Loraj giggled and said, “You said a swear…”
“Why can’t daddy come?” Spera interrupted, sitting close to her mother. “That doesn’t seem right.”
“Listen to me,” Tenebrae said, “Where we are in a place that isn’t meant for the living. Daddy has always been dead.”
“He’s not dead, he’s standing right there,” Rapèl pointed right at Kabal, who came over to the group.
“I don’t know how to make you understand…” Tenebrae thought hard and Kabal came over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She raised one of her hands to place it on one of his and then said, “The place we’re living in is where bad people go when they die. I am only here to train and then well… I met your daddy. If daddy doesn’t have a living body, he can’t leave with us.”
“Bullshit,” Rapèl said, crossing his arms. “How could we have been born here if it’s a place of the dead?”
“There are Oni,” Tenebrae tried to argue, though it may not have been the best argument.
Loraj sparked a bit and said, “If we can’t take daddy with us, why can’t we stay here?”
“Because we can’t,” Tenebrae spoke, getting irritated. “Even if we can’t take everyone with us it doesn’t mean we can’t visit and I will find a way to take daddy with us.” She turned and saw Noob show up for training. She looked back and then said, “It’s time to train.”
“Nuh,” Loraj ran off.
Spera thought about going but instead stopped Rapèl from running. Diligite just shook his head and went to head to train. Tenebrae got frustrated but stood up, Kabal stepping away from her, and looked at Noob, “I know the properties of the realm now. I am no longer going to stick to habit… I will train non-stop.”
“Remember, there will be backlash,” He warned her.
“I will deal with it when it happens,” Tenebrae answered without hesitation. “I will learn what I can from who I can here and I will be ready when the time comes to go. It’s not like Loraj knows how to escape the realm.” She stanced up and prepared to fight those that would stand up to her, bowing first to her master. He would bow back to her and stance up. She would train this way for the next forty years (eight years elsewhere), her skill increasing by about 5% each day making the final outcome after that time a 730% increase approximately. She had learned what she could, tapping into the knowledge of those before her and using the knowledge to increase what she could do with her standard abilities. She could take souls from a further distance and it made it so much easier to keep the few still hunting her at bay. By the end of the training, she let her father and grandfather get close enough to her that they could stand at an arm’s length. Sometime during this, Loraj showed back up and trained. Tenebrae glared at them, wearing armor made from the several times she had pulled them from their physical forms and released them. She spoke to them with a serious voice, “Now you can see them… But if you so much as touch them I will break your fingers.”
They looked over her body and couldn’t see a single bit of flesh showing from beneath the bone, but her muscles looked bulky from the armor. The truth was, she had toned them to be lither but hadn’t adjusted the armor yet. Shinnok looked at the gathering behind her and said, “Does NetherRealm follow you?”
Tenebrae laughed, “Of course it doesn’t. They are just my family.” She looked back and felt her father’s soul move closer, she snapped around and punched through his gut with a quick jab. She watched him fall down then on her chest as the blood ran around and stained a symbol formed of hips and shoulders was the Lin Kuei symbol. She flicked the blood off her hand and said, “Still rude.” Loraj, Rapèl, Spera, and Diligite all came to their mother’s side, ready to fight him. Tenebrae smirked and said, “Kids, That’s your great grandfather… He’s an asshole. And the body on the ground writhing in pain is your grandfather… He’s also an asshole but is a bit of a bitch.”
Shinnok smirked and pointed at Rapèl and said, “He is tainted.”
“Everyone has a little taint,” Rapèl spoke then cracked his knuckles.
“I mean a lot,” Shinnok smirked.
Rapèl shrugged and ran up to punch him in the face. Shinnok barely dodged only to have Diligite trip him backwards and as he tried to pull himself up, Spera placed her hook swords around the front of his throat and crisscrossed behind him, Rapèl held him in place by his nostrils, Diligite kept him off balance and a hand on his back, and Loraj paralyzed his body from the waist down so it was limp. It was then that Terror showed up, witnessing the situation. Tenebrae looked at him and said, “Oh hey, they were just meeting their Great Grandfather.”
Terror raises an eyebrow, “Yeah sure, let’s go. All of you.” Then he would turn to Noob and say, “Release.”
Tenebrae could feel the chains dis-attach from her and she took a heavy breath. She cracked her neck and said, “Why so early? And is there a way to take Kabal with us?” She looked at her children and said, “Stop playing with him, we need to go it seems.”
Rapèl smashed the cartilage up into the brain. His release caused the body to limp up, Spera cutting the hook swords through the neck with ease. Loraj pumped enough electricity to fry the internal organs, causing blood to flow out of the body. Then Diligite ripped the soul from him and released it to the Nether. Terror said, “I can make him a vessel on EarthRealm. You just need to carry his soul to it.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “I guess EarthRealm is our first stop then.” She would then turn to Kabal and give him a worried glance. “You alright with this?”
Kabal nodded and said, “Do it.”
Tenebrae nodded and pulled Kabal’s soul from him and held it in her hands. Terror teleported first, her children following him by watching and feeling. Tenebrae followed last and looked at the area they had landed in. She felt the relapse she was warned about but stayed standing. They were greeted by Deverik and the rest of the clan. Tenebrae was a bit shocked when Deverik decided to hug her, moving one hand holding Kabal’s soul to the side and wrapping her other arm around her brother. He was just an inch shorter than her. Terror then brought over a body that matched Kabal’s but without the damage. Tenebrae backed from the hug and gently placed the soul into it. She then stood and waited, watching the body move and Kabal get used to being alive again. Tenebrae smirked and said, “Welcome to the living again.” She hugged onto him.
“Not so tight,” Kabal was still getting used to the new body.
“Sorry,” She blushed a bit and released him.
“Yeah, that body is pretty much a child now,” Terror explained.
“I will be more careful,” Tenebrae smiled and stood up and let him get used to it in his own time. She looked at Deverik and said, “We’re headed to OutWorld, please take care of my love.”
Deverik nodded and said, “We will help him so you can take him with you when you are ready.”
Next thing they knew, a flaming centaur was kicked out of the portal that was mostly skeleton and muscle. Toron stood up and shook off getting kicked out of the Nether again. Tenebrae smirked and said, “Guess Noob kicked you out again.”
“All I did was have fun,” Toron complained then said, “It has been a while, Tenebrae.”
Tenebrae giggled a bit and mounted up on top of him. She gripped on and said, “To OutWorld then?” She looked right at Terror. Her children were looking around and they were trying to keep Loraj in her clothes.
“To the castle,” Terror said.
He teleported first, followed by Tenebrae and then the children. They all appeared at the castle and those that were told to arrive all did, the others had gathered out of curiosity of the others gathering. Venir was in the crowd of siblings and looked stronger than before but upon seeing them, he knew he would have no choice but to submit if something went wrong. Terror vanished for a moment and reappeared with the Kamidogu in hand. All the siblings stared at it and knew this couldn’t be good. Terror looked over the crowd then to Tenebrae and handed her the Kamidogu. Tenebrae grasped it in her hand and all of the siblings present seemed to get pissed. Tenebrae yelled out to them, “Those that accept me as guardian. Come and stand at our sides. Those that reject this, hold your tongues or prepare for your demise. As of now, I stake this claim.”
Regir was the first one from the crowd to rise up and walked to her side. He stood ready for battle with the others if he so needed. Vendict marched up and stood at her side, awaiting orders. Venir gave in, knowing he wouldn’t be able to fight all of them and stood at her side. Dahk, Zerek, and Weren all rose and went to her line up of siblings on her side. Rorik was the next to step over to her side, immediately followed by Li, Lin, and Despara. Sepht and Domme stayed in EarthRealm, OutWorld was no longer a matter to them. Tamereth then appeared from EarthRealm beside them and asked, “Am I late?”
The rest looked at each other and took stances. Dahk smirked and covered the entirety of OutWorld in darkness without a problem and said, “You stand against the guardian, there is nowhere to run.”
Venir stepped forward from the group and with a flick of his wrists, he pulled out the souls of Kael and Kaos and had them switch bodies. They both stumbled over their new paws and tried to get re-coordinated. Venir spoke out of his own intention, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
Next Weren stepped up and caused Teror’s muscles to all relax without killing her. “There is no use, be at peace.”
Terror crossed his arms and said, “Guess I get to be lazy today.” He then turned to Tenebrae and motioned his head to Regir and said, “Crown him.”
The grouping turned and looked, Tenebrae smiled and pushed off of Toron. She took her hand and placed it on Regir’s shoulder as she said, “I am just the guardian and I deem you, Regir Khan, as the Emperor of OutWorld.”
Regir nodded to her and said, “I treasure yours and his decision.” He then pointed to Dahk and said, “You will be my right.” He then pointed to Vendict and said, “Consider yourself general, and lead your army.”
Vendict smirked and said, “With pleasure.” He raised his four swords and said, “Let’s charge.”
The enemies disappeared swiftly but Dahk was able to immediately say where they were located and several of them teleported to go fight. Tenebrae walked to face Terror before she took any further action and said, “Thank you. If you could, send thanks to master Noob for me as well.” Terror would nod and walk away, this was no longer his battle. Tenebrae smirked and leapt back onto Toron and said, “Dahk, you have everywhere covered, right?”
“Yes,” He looked to her, moving as if it was nothing.
“Where are the factions?” Tenebrae asked out of concern.
“Hmn…” Dahk focused himself and said, “Why don’t you just use your guardian powers to bring them here?”
“I have a feeling this should be done manually,” She spoke as she removed a loose segment from her chest piece and fixed it over her mouth. “They will most likely attack one another if the situation is not explained. I will go to them.”
Regir looked to her and asked, “Is it wise to go in full armor riding an undead flaming centaur?”
Tenebrae thought a moment and said, “Is there a more fitting look for the guardian of OutWorld?” She reared Toron and disappeared without being told where to go, appearing from one faction to the next and telling them what is going on and what they missed. Then only took the ones who accepted it to the castle for their own safety. Once they were all safe, she let Toron go where he willed and walked with Regir into the throne room. Dahk followed them, keeping the darkness around OutWorld active. Regir took to the throne and both Tenebrae and Dahk bowed to him, standing then and Dahk moved to his side. Tenebrae decided to ask, “Who are you placing where?”
Regir put some thought into it and said, “I will keep Dahk as my right hand, an advisor of sorts. You will also be working with me, standing to my left but your say will be considered equally, sister.” Tenebrae nodded to him before he continued, “I will keep Vendict as the High General of the army, he was trained well. Weren and Despara will be Diplomats. Zerek will be in charge of the work force since he can abolish slavery easily in that position. Tamereth will be our personal relations with EarthRealm. Then Li and Lin will watch Venir.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Wise choice…”
“Why not chain him and keep him prisoner?” Dahk asked, “We all know Venir is twisted.”
“My decision has been made,” Regir looked at Dahk. “We will give him a chance to redeem himself.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Even if he is a horrible person, I think he’s just mentally ill. But, I want permission to throw him into the Nether if he dares make one false move… But not to tell him that it will be such.”
Regir would nod and say, “We will tell him his punishment is worse than death, you have permission.”
Tenebrae nodded then thought of something. “I want to send my children to retrieve their father. Perhaps they will learn something while they are there.” Regir gave her a nod. Tenebrae snapped and her children appeared from their mid-fight, Loraj landing on her butt suggesting she was mid-air. They all stood and looked at their mother. “First off children, show your respect to the Emperor.” The four knelt down. “Second, I need you to retrieve your father. It should be safe to bring him here.”
They disappeared with a touch of their marks and headed to EarthRealm. Regir looked to Tenebrae and said, “Your children are so obedient.”
“This is the first time they have been,” Tenebrae let out a sigh. “They seem to like their father more than myself.”
“Glad I don’t have any,” Regir smirked under his cloaks. Tenebrae began to walk away and he asked, “Where are you going?”
“To free Venir’s prisoners,” Tenebrae spoke simply then pulled away to appear before Reiko and Yemara. She looked at the state they were left in and walked up to them and placed her hands on them, both looking up. “The hell has he done to you…” She had a tear roll down her cheek and looked at the table with the devices used to nearly tear them apart. She pushed the devices off and cleaned the table off, pulling it over to Reiko’s first and disconnecting the restraints. He fell into her arms and she carefully placed him on the table. She made sure the things keeping him alive were still attached and then looked for something for Yemara. She pushed stuff off another table then released Yemara and laid him down. She moved the two tables closer together and said, “You will both be alright.”
She looked up as she felt three of her children come back with Kabal. She then looked back at them and as she moved to walk away, Yemara’s hand grabbed her. She looked back at him and heard him weakly say, “You make us… proud…”
She came back to Yemara and gently placed her hand on his chest, “Save your strength, I will get you both back to yourselves. I promise…” She then knelt down and whispered, “All I am… Is guardian. I am not the emperor, but I gave that to a sibling who deserved it… I promise I will return but I need to find out where one of my four children ran off to…” She felt Yemara lose his grip and let his hand rest at his side. She smiled and moved away, teleporting back to the throne room.
“Loraj ran off,” Spera spoke first.
Diligite nodded and said, “She didn’t understand why our home is here and took off into EarthRealm and we couldn’t keep up with her. Seems she found a way to wire her mark with her electricity.”
Tenebrae took in a deep breath to leave out a sigh, “We will have Tamereth find her. She has similar training to us and will be able to track her down.”
“Fuck that,” Rapèl spoke up, “I want to find her myself.”
He was about to touch his mark and Tenebrae’s hand snapped out and stopped him. “Don’t you dare,” She scolded him, “It isn’t your duty.”
“Then what is my duty?” Rapèl snapped at her.
“Your duty is what your emperor says it is!” Tenebrae tried to keep her calm.
“Well then,” Rapèl yelled sarcastically at his mother then knelt to Regir and said, “The fuck is my duty?!”
“To hold your tongue,” Regir spoke out.
“Or wha-“ Rapèl was cut off by his mother placing her hand over his mouth.
“Spera, Diligite… Please follow Dahk to get your father situated here,” Tenebrae sounded like she was pleading by tone but the force behind it showed she wasn’t to be messed with at the moment. She felt Rapèl biting into her hand and said, “So help me, you don’t listen to the emperor I will make sure you’re not only punished by him…” She released his mouth and Rapèl ran to go after his siblings. She sighed and looked at Regir and apologized, “He is just a boy… I will make sure he learns how to obey…”
Regir stood up and placed his hand on his sister’s shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze. “I understand that they were not raised here and they will need the time to adjust. Don’t be so swift with them to change, even you were not raised to follow one being. That is why we will work together. I am assigning jobs so that we can be more even. Do not ask me for permission anymore unless I need to be directly involved.” He removed a part of lower facial wraps, showing pale skin and a tuft of white hair.
Tenebrae saw these and asked, “Are you sick?”
“No one may know but you,” Regir pulled his wraps back up and sat back on the throne.
Tenebrae paused but nodded to him. She went and checked on Kabal, seeing he was getting accustomed to his room and new surroundings. She then went to the kitchen and a few of the ones in the factions who knew what they were doing helped her make broth for the two downstairs. She took it down with her and set one of the bowls down and carefully held Yemara up first and helped him drink it. She did the same with Reiko. Once that was done, she took the bowls back and went to where her family would be staying in the castle. She went to Kabal and hugged him very gently. He hugged her back and she said to him, “I know this isn’t your home but I want it to be…”
“It’s fine,” Kabal gave her a smile and spoke evenly, “I know you’re locked to the realm. It is a decent place though it makes me think of you know.”
“I know but that won’t happen again,” Tenebrae smiled then kissed his cheek. “Our current emperor is a good man. Hashi-Li trusts him.”
Kabal nodded and said, “I trust you both in your judgment.”
She was back in the throne room by the time her siblings returned. They had brought back all of the siblings that rose against them alive. Regir scanned them over and said, “Imprison them all.” They were taken as such then returned and bowed to their king. He said, “All of you have been assigned duties. Vendict, go with Tenebrae. She should show you something.”
Tenebrae looked at him and said, “I really don’t think he should, my emperor…”
“He needs to…” Regir’s voice was dark.
Tenebrae looked down and then walked with Vendict through the castle. He looked at her and noted her worried expression and said, “What happened?” She didn’t respond and he went silent for a little. Before they got to their destination, he stepped in front of her and said, “Tell me…”
“You will see,” Tenebrae spoke. She took his shoulder and lead him into the torture room and to the cell holding Reiko and Yemara. He tried to rush in but Tenebrae wouldn’t let him and said, “Venir did this… He had him the entire time I think…”
Vendict broke from her grip and went to Reiko and saluted. He couldn’t hold it and knelt down, placing a hand on the one who had raised him. He said, “I am the High General now… When you’re back you can have it… The only orders I want to take are yours…”
Reiko was too weak to answer back but he had a smile on his face. Tenebrae moved to Vendict and said, “They need to rest…”
“Not down here,” Vendict looked her in the eyes and then said, “I won’t have it.”
“If you move them too soon they may die,” Tenebrae spoke and pulled him away by force. He was trying to do his best to get back and Tenebrae said, “You are a soldier damnit… You think he wants to see you acting like this to a superior?” Vendict stopped struggling except to pull from her and leave. Tenebrae rubbed her head and said, “I guess I am more mature than them now…”

Tamereth had been sent to retrieve Loraj and to tell Deverik about her duty. She teleported there with her mark and found that she was only greeted by some of the lower members. She walked to Deverik’s hut and knocked, hearing his voice to let her come in. Tamereth entered and saw Deverik was hugging the crying Loraj. Tamereth didn’t want to spoil things but she would have to eventually. She started casually, “Deverik, I have been charged with EarthRealm relations. I will be coming back and forth often.” Deverik nodded but was still rubbing his niece’s back to calm her. Tamereth then said, “And I have been ordered to bring her back.”
“Fuck off,” Loraj spoke up through her tears then hid her face on her uncle.
Deverik looked up at Tamereth and said, “She doesn’t like it there.”
“Home is home,” Tamereth spoke in a smooth even tone, “Even if it was broken, it’s come back together and will be peaceful from here on out.”
“I don’t want it,” Loraj tried to jerk from her uncle but he held her so she couldn’t run.
Deverik looked at Tamereth and said, “She wants to go back to the Nether.”
Tamereth sighed and rubbed her own forehead with her pointer and thumb. “Why she would want to go there is baffling… But I can understand how being born and raised there… Tenebrae probably talked up OutWorld and they were disappointed…” Tamereth tried to think things out and said, “Well, maybe she should travel. Get to see everything. I will run it by Tenebrae and Regir.”
Deverik’s head perked up and said, “So how are things getting run there?”
“Regir has made Tenebrae equal in say to him,” Tamereth stated, “Regir is Emperor where she is Guardian. Then every sibling that sided with them has a special job that they relate best to except Venir… He’s being guarded by Li and Lin who will make sure he’s not up to funny business. The rest were imprisoned.” She rolled her shoulders back a bit, a tad sore.
Deverik nodded and said, “You should head back, I will show Loraj EarthRealm.”
Tamereth nodded and faded to OutWorld using her mark.

Loraj’s exploration had been approved by them, the other siblings getting permission to roam as well. Rapèl and Diligite wound up going separate ways as Rapèl went to ChaosRealm and Diligite when to OrderRealm. Spera stayed in OutWorld, happy to just be with her father. OutWorld was running smoothly, Venir never tried any form of attack within ten years’ time but he was still considered the lowest. He continually brought things to try to appease them but now that his two former prisoners were up on their feet and also considered advisors, they made sure he knew his place. Regir wanted some wine one morning, and Venir tried to fetch it quickly. He paused a bit and remembered his special ingredients somewhere. He carefully pried his mind then found the vial of left over from destroying his father. He wasn’t going to do this now, but re-hid it. He ran back to the throne room and presented the wine.
Regir took it and made sure it was safe first by sniffing it then looking at Venir. He held it out and said, “You drink some first.”
Tenebrae peered over with a disapproving glance, only to be returned with a glance that said he knew what he was doing. Reiko and Yemara watched anxiously, ready to strike if something quirky happened. Venir took the bottle back and looked at it. He tipped it and only took a little bit before handing it back. It was clearly fine as Venir was still standing, so Regir enjoyed it. Tenebrae looked from Regir to Venir and said to him, “You’re a lucky son-of-a-bitch…” Her tone dictated that he was the only person she wished dead. Before anything else could be said, Yemara took her by the shoulder and walked her away.
“What was that about?” Yemara asked her as they roamed the halls. He seemed concerned but it only read out in his voice.
Tenebrae peered at her precious Tarkata that raised her and said, “I don’t trust him.” They both stopped and faced each other. “I don’t care how good he’s being, his soul is so tainted that he reeks of a plan.” Yemara was about to speak when Tenebrae added, “If he harms any of us, I will not let him ever live it down.”
“I understand,” Yemara said with both his hands on her shoulders. “You made your choice, live with it. Try to be trusting for a bit.”

Loraj had stayed on EarthRealm despite what had been granted to her as a roaming freedom. She decided to train from time to time while exploring this place of color and beauty. Eventually, Diligite had come to visit and train. Loraj was happy to see him and told him everything she’d been experiencing. Diligite was wearing white robes and his black hair was hanging down in a symmetrical cut. He smiled at her and told her what he’d been doing. Loraj listened and said, “That sounds so exciting but, it’s hard to explore everything in ten years.”
“I know sister,” Diligite spoke as he stood prim and proper, “But to get that taste of everything, you can find what is sour to you and what is sweet. A self-exploration as your externals experience the splendors of many realms, many cultures, and many different people with attitudes and rules that one cannot fully comprehend but just the taste lets you pick and choose where you are best suited and who you truly are as a being.” He smiled to his sibling and then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see his uncle.
“So you’ve been traveling,” Deverik smiled and seemed very happy with him. “I take it you’ve learned a lot?”
Diligite turned and bowed to Deverik in respect to him as a guardian and said, “Very much so.” He erected himself and said, “I am staying in OrderRealm for a time, I feel it is the correct place to be. When I am finished there, I will return to OutWorld seasoned and ready to present myself to my mother and father proudly with my newly found knowledge and skills.”
Then Rapèl appeared, it was clear he’d gone to both ChaosRealm and to NetherRealm, him having a war hammer on his back. He waved to them all and said, “How’ve you all been?”
Diligite turned his nose up and disappeared to head back to OrderRealm. Loraj looked at him and said, “Perfect.” She didn’t like the feeling about him.
Rapèl laughed and said, “Bet you haven’t been training at all you little wimp.”
Loraj grit her teeth and leaned to get ready to fight but Deverik grabbed her shoulder. He gave her a stern look and said, “Take it to the open space in the training grounds.”
Loraj nodded and waved for Rapèl to follow her. They went to the training grounds and faced to each other, Loraj bowing and getting into the dragon stance she was taught. Rapèl snickered at her and just pulled his war hammer out. Deverik let the clan watch but gave a stern warning to not interfere. Judging by their body types alone, it was obvious that Rapèl was much stronger physically. Loraj was smaller and was faster, her having been taught some of the faster arts so she could utilize this. Deverik told them when to start, Rapèl immediately stepped forward and swung the hammer at her. Loraj faded to a dot of electricity and reappeared behind him, thrusting her palm forward and sending out a ball of lightening.
Rapèl grasped his war hammer firmly and swung it at the ball of lightening, hitting it back at her. Loraj placed out her hand and took in the lightening and shot it out her other hand in a more condensed cone. Rapèl hadn’t expected this and rolled to the side, getting a couple burns from the sparkling vortex she’d created. He then laughed at her and tossed the hammer at her, Loraj stepping to the side and grabbing it while pivoting to change its trajectory back to him. Rapèl caught the hammer and before he could stand up to continue the match, Deverik stepped between and held Loraj by her head and Rapèl’s hammer so they couldn’t advance. He said to them, “You will both kill each other with such resentment you show. Calm yourselves or part ways.”
“Then I will go since she was going to be the loser anyway,” Rapèl said, not even waiting for a comeback remark before leaving.
Loraj looked at Deverik and said, “I wasn’t going to kill him! He just pissed me off.”
“Sometimes you will do something you don’t want to do when you’re angered,” Deverik explained, “Once you take a life, you can’t give it back.”
“Then why could my father be revived?” Loraj argued back. Deverik hadn’t thought of that and sighed. “You don’t have an answer, so are there really consequences?”
“NetherRealm,” Deverik answered, “Being damned and trapped.”
“Sounds more like a homecoming to me,” Loraj argued. “You realize I was born and raised there.”
“Yes,” Deverik sighed and watched her walk away. He rubbed his forehead and said, “I am so glad I had boys…” Cicle tapped him upside the back of his head. “What?!” He looked at her. “I am just saying that our children were easier to deal with.”
“They were raised here and raised well,” Cicle commented to that, “She was raised while her mother was stuck in hell. For being of the Nether, she is good. She will find her way just like you and your sister did.”
“I hope you’re right,” Deverik sighed.

After the talk with Yemara, Tenebrae did lighten up. Ten more years passed without incident (30 2/3 years total mark) and Venir had been released from his watch and roamed OutWorld freely. He continued to serve his emperor when asked, being quick about it every time to assure he was still in their favor and not suspected. He waited nine and a third year to finally try something different. He was asked for the typical morning wine, this time placing in a special ingredient, some of the contents of the vial. He brought it to Regir and kneeled as he handed it to him. Regir took it without question and was going to drink it. Tenebrae’s instincts kicked in and she grabbed it from him and said, “Regir, my emperor, trust my judgment and let me test this for you… I don’t trust him.”
Regir nodded and allowed her to do so, Venir’s face was twitching from an attempt to keep a straight face. Tenebrae removed her bone mask and tipped it back some and then set it down on the arm of the throne. There was no immediate effects. Regir looked at her and said, “Anything?”
Tenebrae stood up at attention and said, “Nothing…” She saw him put it up to drink and she suddenly felt ill and it showed as her face paled a bit. She snatched the bottle from Regir and tossed it at Venir luckily before he could take a drink. Venir dodged the oncoming bottle and his smile showed, this couldn’t have been any more perfect. Tenebrae opened a portal behind him and appeared in front of Venir while slamming her foot into his chest, knocking him through and into the Nether where he’d be locked into Quan Chi’s old prison. Tenebrae stepped back and closed it as she went back to her spot, fighting the feelings.
“Are you unwell?” Reiko asked her. Tenebrae nodded and he said to her, “This was the first sign showed when your father died.”
Tenebrae didn’t seem shocked and said, “He was weak… I will survive.” She placed her face mask back on and breathed deeply and heavily, whatever was in there was meant to kill guardians. She thought quick and snapped her fingers to call Weren to them. She looked at him and said, “Tell Noob to reinforce where I placed Venir… He knows how to kill guardians…” Weren nodded and teleported out of there, figuring she was safe with them despite her horrid look. Tenebrae coughed a bit and blood splattered out of her mask.
“You need to rest,” Regir insisted to her, standing from the throne and placing a hand on her shoulder and her abdomen to steady her. “Let’s go,” He tried to lead her to help her.
Tenebrae pulled away from him and said, “I will be fine and if I were to die, I would rather die standing up.” She coughed up another bout of blood and backed up to lean on the wall.
Regir looked at Reiko and Yemara, “Retrieve the items that kept you alive, we are going to hook her up until this passes. Match her blood correctly.”
They both nodded, Reiko running to get the saline first while Yemara took some of the blood from the mask to where they were keeping the medical. He tested the blood with help of a few charged with medical and got the right kind of bags to give to her. The two hooked her up in the throne room and Dahk gave her one of his taller staffs to help her stand. Tenebrae looked at them and smirked behind her mask after coughing out more blood, it dripping down over the bones of her mask. “This is… Amazing…” She spoke and held herself up. She got a few confused glances as she said, “For the longest time… I was the hated sibling… Yemara was the only one… true to me… Now you all… are helping me…” She coughed up some more and forced herself to keep standing. “Just… Don’t tell Kabal… That I did something this… stupid…” She coughed again but held herself up.
“Sounds like you’re going to drown on your own blood,” Regir spoke and this time him, Dahk, Reiko, and Yemara forced her to move with them. “Take our help.” They forced her to medical and they drew the blood from her lungs, letting her heal then.
When Tenebrae was left alone in a room, recovering with all these needles in her, she placed her hand onto her mark and tried to call Terror. Her call was filled with the feeling of her current situation and a deep anger towards her brother, making sure Terror was the only one to feel this call but did not know it was too weak. She tried to make sure before he arrived that she had wiped the blood from her face before putting her bloody mask back on. Dahk and the others had stayed out of the room and in the hall, but he felt her trying to call and knew who she wanted. He tapped his mark and called for Terror, his signal much stronger and his that with the feeling of regret and needing assistance. Terror would appear in his white robes and without his mask. Dahk didn’t recognize him without the mask and armor and stepped back thinking he had gotten the wrong person. Regir looked at his face and smirked beneath his robes but it was lost quickly. “Terror, greetings.” Regir would speak to him, setting Dahk, who called his darkness back in finally, and the others at ease.
“Dahk, why did you call me?” Terror asked him seriously, folding his arms.
Dahk almost hesitated but the situation was too urgent to do so, “Tenebrae was trying to call you but her signal was too weak. Please enter, she’s in here.” He pointed his cane blade at the door.
When Terror entered, Tenebrae was standing and the blood from her mask had dripped down onto her chest piece. Tenebrae could tell from his reading that this was Terror, so she spoke to him with the best she could since a tube was sticking out of her mouth, “Hey… Hashi-Li…” It was weak enough that the others couldn’t hear her and he shut the door behind himself. He went forward to her and she said, “We need to talk…”
First he placed his hand on her head and mended her using his mind freeze, then watched as she took all the tubes and needles out. “What happened?”
“I saved Regir’s life,” Tenebrae spoke, cracking her neck and hanging the needles where they should go when not in use. “Venir used something… Apparently it is what killed my father. He put it in the wine and gave it to Regir. It’s powerful enough to kill guardians and he’s now locked in NetherRealm in the place Quan Chi was. I sent Weren to tell him to make sure he can never get out, not with the knowledge of how to kill guardians…” She sounded dead serious, her one fist clenched, “With how close he’d been getting to your father, I would check on him…”
“He wouldn’t fall for that kind of trick,” Terror responded, fury edging his voice. With that he took off for NetherRealm to give Venir a piece of his mind.
Tenebrae took in a deep breath and came out of the room. Regir looked at her and said, “You are alright now?”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “I need to try something.” She teleported to a private area, not waiting for an alright since she was told she was equal. She closed her eyes and focused her thoughts, calming herself. She then thought since her uncle was most certainly in heaven, she would try to get there to seek his council. She opened her eyes and found herself able to be pulled to heaven. She looked around and took a deep breath, “I can’t believe that worked.”
“What are you doing here?” A voice came from behind her.
Tenebrae spun around to see one of the Elder Gods, her bowing her head to them quickly before she could see which one, “Just visiting and seeking council from family.” She rose her head to see they had left her, she guessed it was a good enough reason. She began wandering and felt her neck, trying to see if she could get a lock on her uncle. She ended up just literally running into him instead. She looked up and locked eyes with him and said, “I’m sorry, are you Raiden?”
“Yes,” He responded and looked her over, “And who are you?”
“Sorry,” Tenebrae took her mask off and hooked it in its slot under her chest piece, “I must seem really rude. I am Tenebrae, the last daughter of Shao Khan. I have been wanting to meet you ever since I was told of you.”
Raiden looked her over and didn’t seem too impressed with her. “If you are his daughter, why are you wearing that and why are you wanting to meet me?”
Tenebrae got flustered, “Oh I made this in NetherRealm. I was trained there by Noob Saibot so I could take over as OutWorld’s guardian. Only made the deal cause I needed to borrow a few souls for kombat. As for meeting you, I need your council because of my one child.”
Raiden gave a confused look and said, “You trained in NetherRealm to take over OutWorld and you need my council because of a child?”
“Yeah,” Tenebrae said, “Except I didn’t take over OutWorld. I am just the Guardian, one of my other siblings are ruling.”
“How many siblings do you have?” He decided to ask.
“I used to be the thirty-seventh child,” Tenebrae said, “Some of them are dead, though… Or completely destroyed…” She lowered her eyes as she felt ashamed to have to say that. “But… The second eldest is Guardian of EarthRealm and one of my other siblings are Guardian of ChaosRealm. So it’s not all bad.”
Raiden nodded and said, “I see… Now the child you are referring to?”
“My own child,” Tenebrae spoke more seriously, “I have four. The one in question is Loraj, who has glowing blue eyes, white hair, and lightening abilities.” Raiden’s attention perked. “Yeah, everyone kept complementing on how she is so much like you but she’s now grown up thinking that everyone will just agree with her because she looks like you and inherited your abilities.”
“Sounds like she has a large ego,” Raiden sat down and offered her to sit with him.
Tenebrae sat and nodded, “So much… Then I think I disappointed her.” He waited for her to continue. “I kept talking about going home… Talking up OutWorld and its beauty… Then when we finally got there… She wanted to go back to NetherRealm but went to EarthRealm instead… I am not worried with my brother watching her but I feel like she is trying this to spite me.”
“It sounds like she doesn’t know where she belongs,” Raiden spoke to her. “You promised her home but she was raised elsewhere. OutWorld may be your home but NetherRealm would be home to her. As for EarthRealm…” He had to think on it. “Perhaps she saw it as a change of pace.”
Tenebrae nodded a little and said, “I gave all my children the chance to roam free. Rapèl and Diligite left, who knows where they went. Diligite did come back for a little to tell me he’s chosen to train in OrderRealm. Then Spera is a daddy’s girl. She stayed with myself and Kabal.”
“Kabal is their father?” Raiden asked to continue the conversation.
“Yeah,” Tenebrae smiled and they spoke on everything, “We met on my first trip to NetherRealm before kombat. I was collecting souls because I thought I was nowhere near ready and well… When I saw him, the way he stood and acted… I told him what I was doing and that I would never take in his soul.” She blushed a bit as she said, “I never knew I would take it in such a different way.”
“Continue,” Raiden was interested in this.
Tenebrae smiled and said, “I thought men think that love stories are boring. Lack of blood and stuff.”
“I am perfectly fine with a lack of ‘blood and stuff’,” He said to her. “It is a nice change of pace.”
Tenebrae scooted a bit closer, feeling very comfortable with her uncle, “Well, I left him there. Saw him again when I was fighting Noob. We were going all over the place and I stopped to heal up a bit. Cauterized wounds with some of the new things I had picked up.” She thought back and said, “All we said was hello to each other. I swear I fell again. He made NetherRealm a place where I wanted to be.” She sighed a bit and said, “Noob interrupted it but we struck a deal. I could use the souls I had gathered in kombat and he’d take them back. I told him the only reason I wanted them was to have my home…” She looked down and Raiden placed a hand on her shoulder. “I was sick of the fighting, Uncle… All over a stupid throne…” She looked up at him and her smile came back. “I was only happy again after kombat. Swimming in the pool of aging did me some good when I got to see Kabal again. But then I was chained to the Nether.” She giggled a little. “He didn’t like me. None of them did. But I told them why… Sub-Zero and Scorpion stood at my side. We went to Kabal and he gave us a place to hide.” She scooted a bit closer again. “When I found that he didn’t love me, I tried to get physical attention from him… So I bore his children.”
“During training?” Raiden asked curiously.
“Yes,” Tenebrae admitted, “And I didn’t let it detriment my progress. Not one bit.” She smirked, “It was so difficult but in the end, the work shows.”
“It certainly does,” Raiden granted her a smile. “It must be tough to be a female trying to live in a male’s world.”
“Tough is an understatement,” Tenebrae shook her head, “Especially since I kept getting told I was the perfect heir even when I had never met my father.”
Raiden took a pause, “You hadn’t met him?”
“No,” Tenebrae shook her head, “First time I met him, he took advantage of me. Told me I was the perfect child… I don’t exactly have a glowing statement to give of him. Kicked his ass so many times in the Nether…”
Raiden nodded and said, “How did he die?”
Tenebrae shrugged then thought. “Well,” She started, “We think my one brother did it… But the only proof we had were the symptoms I was showing when I saved my other brother’s life. Venir tried to kill Regir… One of the few sane siblings I have.”
“Why would someone try to kill you?” Raiden spoke.
Tenebrae laughed, almost sending a chill down his spine. “Cause as much as I hate to admit it, I am like my father in ways that I can never get rid of,” She spoke with some detest in her voice but it lightened as she continued, “Yemara, the tarkata that raised me, he grabbed me the skull part of his helm. I wore it like a little moron. I actually tried to emulate him and by the time I was given the chance to grow up, I almost got killed in hell.” She smiled legitimately and ran her hand into her long black hair. “Noob gave me an opportunity. Even when I was in Kombat, I trained. Some of the souls were more cooperative than others, one of them was Sub-Zero.” She saw his interest peek. “I knew the Dragon Style and he helped take me to the next level. Then Chaos had me swim in the pool of aging, which was refreshing. I went in not caring about death and came out with a stronger resolve.”
Raiden nodded to her, “That’s great.”
“Oh yes it was,” Tenebrae sounded proud, “And once those souls were ripped from me and I was chained, I had a hell of a good time growing. Oh, and I got to see something amazing.”
“What would that be?” Raiden asked.
Tenebrae thought of how to put it and spoke plain, “Despite all the hate… Despite the difference in factions… Despite different realms and beliefs. All my living siblings gathered together to fight off Onaga, to protect our home. I held Onaga’s soul in place with Venir tugging the other. My nephews Terror and… I forgot the other one’s name, froze him from the outside in. All of my physical siblings fought off the army of Onaga and the others helped entrap the son of a bitch!” She smiled and nodded, “It was amazing.”
“So,” Raiden tried to clarify, “The same sibling that killed your father and tried to kill your brother helped all of you there?”
Tenebrae nodded, “He had no choice. If he’d of run, he wouldn’t be feared anymore.” Then Tenebrae looked down, “But… You place a little trust in someone so twisted and they are bound to stab you in the back while you see them plainly in front of you.”
Raiden nodded then saw her take a slightly deeper breath. He looked at her and said, “Are you alright?”
Tenebrae nodded her head, “Just a soul fighting back… Decided to place a bad soul into good use… Yeah it made me a fuck ton more powerful sorcery wise… But I certainly am paying the price for that power. Ever since I took Guardianship, he’s been fighting back harder and harder.”
“Who’s soul?” Raiden asked with concern.
“Quan Chi’s,” Tenebrae gave him her most serious tone.
Raiden’s face went serious and he shook his head, “You took his soul?”
“I was able to quell it before I was even made a guardian,” Tenebrae spoke sternly and she held a calm look to herself, “Besides, now that I have guardianship, it will be easy. He just perks up every now and again so I push him back down. Every time he does this I have grown stronger.”
“Are you certain that he is not being false?” Raiden stood himself up and stepped ready to fight.
Tenebrae stood up and gently placed her hand on her uncle, “There is no danger. Believe me.” She then gently placed her arms around him in a hug, accidently knocking his hat off.
Raiden was confused by this action but matched her embrace, “I do believe you, even though you have his looks, you certainly do not have your father’s heart.”
Tenebrae smiled and then she remembered, “Still, about my daughter…”
“Loraj right?” Raiden asked, seeing Tenebrae nod. “What of the three meanings did you name her for?”
“All three,” She answered him, “She is the light that came from the dark. She might as well be a thunderstorm when she is pissed. Then the third is for her powers, for you. The lightening she radiates but not at the level of a god, still it is something to behold when she is doing something she believes in.”
“Then she will be fine,” Raiden assured her.
Tenebrae released him and took a step back, curling her hand over her right fist and bowing her head to him. Raiden bowed back to her in respect. Tenebrae smiled and said, “I will be sure to visit you as often as I can. Give you updates and just talk about stuff. I feel like this was all about me and I want to know you.” Raiden nodded, her placing her hand on her mark with a smile and teleporting back to OutWorld.

Venir had been chained physically and by his soul in the prison originally made for Quan Chi. Around him there were traps in case he would ever escape. There was the main area he was in then another built over it to place a door on the opposite side. It was pitch black inside and all traps were set only to his soul’s length. Terror entered and all he would see is a shadow of Venir and would simply ask one thing, “Why?” When no answer was given he rephrased, “What would make you betray your brother?”
“No one would understand,” Venir answered it vaguely, eyeing over the form of Terror. “I betrayed many… And no one would understand…”
“Speak plainly or your next breath will be the last you ever speak,” Terror threatened.
Venir was unfazed by the threat and said, “I am not perfect… The only way to prove it is to kill… That is how I was raised… Shang Tsung was there but taught me nothing… He taught me sorcery and that Shao Khan thought I was a pathetic fool… A weak thing that would never be anything…” He took a deep breath and said, “I thought my father killed him… So to prove my strength… I killed him back… It worked… Then the wars… I captured Reiko before anything could happen… I needed to know what the final key was… When you handed it to her… Yes I was mad, but madder that she didn’t take the throne and just tossed it away… I know you had this happen… Still, the birthright was clear… The throne goes to the one who got it… I would have been fine if it was Dahk… or Weren… Any of the ones that weren’t deemed ‘perfect’… I couldn’t do it… Sit quietly… I’d stew…” Venir watched Terror’s expression change slightly but he couldn’t tell to what. “I know what all I have done is wrong… If I die now I am where I should be… I cannot atone as plotting is a habit… I must seek the one thing I can never have… Do it…” He let his head drop and under his breath he said, “Make me suffer…” When he looked a bit up to try and see if he had moved, he only noticed that he was closer. “I deserve any punishment that you will give me…”
Terror seemed to think on what he was going to do. He gripped his fists tight, this once proud and confident being now in a pit of self-loathing. Even worse the admittance that he’d been loathing himself from the start and went through everything to try to prove to himself and others that he was worth something. “You can still make yourself worth something,” He worded what he was thinking carefully, though he did see the shadow of Venir’s head raise. “I just need two things from you. The first, is to teach me how to take souls.”
“The second is you will take mine, correct?” Venir was no idiot but he had a feeling this was the only way. “Then you need to do something for me,” He replied and gave no hesitation, “You must turn this into a blood oath. I will go against you otherwise, it is in my nature…”
Terror was a bit confused at the request but he stepped closer to Venir’s body and cut Venir a bit, slicing open his own hand and placing it onto it. “You will teach me to take souls and will be allowed to take yours to learn. Then I will return you to life.”
Venir smirked a bit and said, “And you will teach me to be a good man… You don’t need to succeed, but I know you will do so anyway…” Venir tried to see souls through the walls but his vision was blocked. He smirked and said, “He didn’t take any mistake on how fortified this is… Can you see souls?”
Terror shook his head no, “I can’t see them but I know how to seal them.”
Venir took a deep breath and thought on how to go about this. He tried to motion but forgot his arms were bound and the traps jiggled, one of them shooting a dart at him with a bit of tranquilizer. He let out a sharp breath and clenched his fists, “Teaching like this is going to be harder than I thought…” He then felt his mind going fuzzy, shaking his head slowly as he tried to focus on how to do this. “The soul… Is generally located in the torso,” Venir explained, “What you need to do is to focus and feel it in your hand… The…” He fought his mind going fuzzy for a moment then continued, “The energy of the soul should guide you. The two ends of a soul are the easiest to feel, tainted and pure. Those in the middle can be harder to get a grasp on unless you have a feel for both…” He took in another deep breath and realized he couldn’t see anything just because it was taking good effect. Venir grit his teeth a bit and was thinking about attempting to undo the chains at least on his soul. He was able to focus in on one of the chains and felt that he could break it, but he was going to wait until it was time. He then warned Terror, “Because of the soul chains binding me… When you take my soul, the traps will aim to you and you will need to get out as fast as possible… Unless you give me enough time to break the chains and trap them together so you can take it freely…”
“I believe I will try my luck,” Terror was smirking but not that Venir could see it. He was attempting to focus in on the soul and trying to see it.
Venir could feel only the slightest pull and said, “Come closer, place your hand on my chest. Feel it, pull it, absorb it, and run.” He finally let his mind turn off, the tranquilizer made him a not so helpful piece of deadweight now.
Terror moved up and placed his hand on Venir’s chest. He could feel the soul and knew he had only this one shot. He tried a slight pull on the soul and heard some of the traps begin to jiggle a bit. He let it back then quickly ripped it out and turned to run. He pressed it against his flesh as he took from the traps firing at him. He froze the door open and ran through the outer halls while only suffering minor cuts as he rushed back out. He froze the door out just open enough that he could tumble under it. When he stood up, Noob was right there in his face. “What do you think you are doing?”
Terror hesitated a moment and said, “I am giving him a chance to redeem himself.”
“He has already failed a chance to redeem himself,” Noob spoke, his arms crossed. “Two guardians agreed that he would be imprisoned here. Why are you assuming that there is a way he can be redeemed?”
“I can teach him good and he will teach me things I must know, his blood is bound to this oath,” Terror showed his hand.
Noob looked at it then back at him. “If you fail, he will be imprisoned once more and far more securely. Not even a god would be able to break him free. I will also see to it that you too will face punishment.”
Terror bowed his head, “I understand.” As he would move away from Noob, he’d feel Venir’s soul give him a sudden burst, not attempting takeover but Terror would suddenly see all of the souls around him and near him. Terror gripped his head with pain as all the information was overwhelming. Noob turned around ready to fight in case Venir was taking over. Terror looked at Noob but would just see the bright soul of a guardian flashing into his eyes despite the darkness of the soul. He looked away and straightened himself up to process it. “I am fine,” Terror spoke, attempting to put Noob at ease. Before things could escalate, he’d raise his hand to his mark and teleport away heading to NightmareRealm.

Loraj had been training well in the Shirai Kuei for several years (40th year since kombat) and was seemingly finally not being as much of a brat. She was training with the rest of the grouping but did not wear the outfit, she trained in the nude. This pissed off her aunt Just who was training with them. Loraj decided to just go sit at the end of training and Just came over to her. “Loraj, you are a disgrace,” Just spoke in an annoyed tone, “You train and are ahead of most of us yet you refuse to wear traditional garb or let alone even any clothes. You’ve rejected your codename and that means you are not one of us.”
“I wasn’t from the start,” Loraj smirked at her, “Also who the hell wants to be called thunder or lightening or storm or what’s yours? Wuss.” She snorted and caught Just’s incoming fist as she said, “Besides, my uncle says it’s alright then it’s alright. Just cool your tits.”
Just growled and tossed another blow at Loraj. She grasped hold of the other fist and pulled her legs up, releasing the fists as she pressed her feet against Just’s chest and flipped back onto them. Just stepped backwards and nearly fell but stayed up. Loraj smirked and shook her head, making Just more furious. “You are just a worthless fool!”
“Says the one who set herself up for a near knock down,” Loraj rubbed it in and crossed her arms under her tits.
Terror would then appear right between them, they had been fighting at his normal spawning place and he dropped in for an update. Just would take a step back from the sudden appearance, while Loraj would nearly hit her own face with her tits from jumping. She then registered that this was her cousin and smiled, “Hey~!”
Terror would turn to Loraj and mold clothes of ice around her. Loraj chittered a bit but she was getting used to some of the odd temperature changes but his ice was colder than the others. Just then stepped forward and said, “Master Terror, she is a disgrace and an abandoner!”
Terror would look at Just then Loraj as he asked, “What does she mean?”
Domme came out, she was wearing a female ninja outfit that was a very dark blue but almost black. She had her mask on and said, “Loraj has permission for the accusations Just is tossing about.”
“An those would be?” Terror asked as his loved one walked up.
“Loraj has permissions to train with us but not follow our ways,” Domme explained as she stood near him. “Essentially she may wear what she wants, she may deny her code name despite being honored as a ninja, and she is not required to attend training but she has been every day. Ever since her brother showed up and nearly handed her ass to her on a platinum platter, she has been training hard.”
“Who gave her this leeway?” Terror asked.
“Deverik.” Domme spoke.
Terror would pass by her and head for his father’s hut. He would bow and approach his father, “Hello.”
Deverik bowed back as he stood up and then held his hand out for Terror to sit with him, “Greetings, it has been a while.”
“It has,” Terror spoke and noticed his father was staring, “Oh I took a soul, Venir’s.”
Deverik took a deep breath and removed his mask, “What would make you take such a tainted soul?”
“He wants to redeem himself,” Terror spoke to his father seriously, “I have been having his soul for ten years now, if he was going to make a move, it is already too late.”
Deverik settled down and took a deep breath. “I hope you are correct.”
Their pleasant chat was interrupted by the crackle of lightening from outside. Then before they could continue, Just’s body was thrown through the wall and had burns on it as well as a few left over sparks. Terror caught her body and look out the hole. Loraj was standing there and she had sparks all over her body and her eyes were sharp. Terror would step through the hole and say to Loraj, “Now you need to calm down.”
“She called me a pig fucking whore who’s only here for fucking my own family. It’s fucking disgraceful,” She was nearly screaming it at him but she seemed calmer talking to him. Domme wrapped her arms under the arms of Loraj and wrapped her fingers behind her head. Loraj freaked out and sparked back up, “LET ME GO!”
Terror raised his hand and closed his fingers, Loraj’s sparks getting eliminated. Deverik climbed through the whole and all else who saw what he did stood in shock. Domme kept Loraj in a lock and kicked her knee out to take her to the ground. Loraj just laid there locked by Domme and had tears going down her face, her specialness was just taken away. Deverik looked at his son and simply said, “You are now all the more befitting of your name…”
Terror would shake his head then look at Loraj, “It will wear off in twenty-four hours. Next time, your specialness will be mine.” He then said, “And you will wear that uniform for as long as you here.” Then he would head for his cabin, to change his clothes into his street clothes. Domme would release Loraj and run off to go get dressed and tell Sepht.
Deverik walked over to Loraj and offered a hand to help her up, Loraj wouldn’t take it and instead rolled over on the ground and covered her face. “I am a disgrace…” Loraj muffled as she cried.
Deverik sighed and picked her up, practically dragging the brat to her cabin. He placed her down there and closed the door on her, heading back to his own. Loraj just stood where she was placed and then walked to where she kept her uniform. She looked at the white on it and sighed, placing it on. It was a female’s uniform and she placed her mask on, her bracers last. Then she walked back outside and saw them heading out in normal clothes, her taking a step back. Terror would turn to her before he left and said, “By the way, you should contact your mother.” She gave a huff and went to the training grounds to take out her frustration on a dummy.
Deverik came back out and walked up behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She spun away from him and said, “What do you want?! You are going to agree with your son! For a guardian you are such a pussy!”
Deverik took in a deep breath and said, “I only agree with my son when he is right. If you want to take out your frustrations, take them out on me. I am one of the reasons he is the way he is and I take responsibility not just for my family, but the Shirai Kuei and the entirety of all born on EarthRealm.” He got into a very powerful dragon stance, his stature just making it more intimidating.
Loraj was intimidated by him but got into stance. She was shaking a bit and said, “This won’t be fair… You’re like… Super powerful…”
“If you are ever taken to kombat, your opponents could be just as powerful or even gods,” Deverik spoke to her, “Nothing is fair and never show fear.” Loraj couldn’t stop shaking and got punched in the face, falling over. Loraj got back up just so he could kick her in the face and knock her back down. He said, “Don’t hesitate, don’t be slow. You should be faster than me, Storm.” She got herself back up and this time managed to stand as he punched at her again. She swiped his hand to the side with her own and punched in at his face, him catching easily and squeezing her hand. Loraj let out a cry and grit her teeth. Deverik looked at her and said, “Calm yourself and you will fight better.”
“Shut up!” Loraj yelled at him and kicked her leg up into his nuts. He flinched and she took her free hand and punched him in the gut. He took the hit as she was fast, not strong, then took the fist he had hold of and used his other hand to make her twist so her back was to him. He then placed his heel in the back of her knees with two swift kicks, sending her down. Her other arm failed back so he grabbed it and placed his foot on her back. She screamed at him, “NO!”
He pulled on her arms until the shoulders popped out of socket but once they were dislocated, he let go and kicked her in the butt to knock her forward. “I was being lenient before, but you attacked family unprovoked. You will need to follow our ways if you wish to stay from here on out.”
Loraj buried her face in the ground and had tears streaming down her face. She didn’t bother trying to get back up and she yelled at him, “FUCK YOU!” He kicked walked over and pulled on each leg, pulling them out of place. She cried more and yelled, “BASTARD!” Deverik kicked her in the face, blood coming from her nose and mouth. Loraj just cried more and this time said nothing.
Some of the other ninja were out and saw his brutality showing, their current Sub-Zero coming over to him. Deverik looked at him and his eyes seemed to have a taste for the blood. He said, “Tell all those running the practices that Loraj will no longer be showing up. If she wants to stay one of us, she will face me until she proves she is worth being with us. Storm is no more.” He then stepped away and went to his hut, nearly running right over Cicle who was worried about him but in his way.
Loraj was left there until Terror, Dread, Sepht, and Domme came back, her having kept her head facing down so she could breathe. Terror would come to her and raise his hand to her and set everything back into place. He then looked to the ones still standing there and said, “You are not deserving of your titles. This was a test of you as well. You shouldn’t have let a child be beaten.”
The current Sub-Zero stepped forward to Terror and said, “Deverik had this look like we shouldn’t, deemed her not one of us and cast her out.” He looked at her on the ground still then back to Terror, “He looked bloodthirsty.”
“I will speak with him,” Then he’d look right into Sub-Zero’s eyes and said, “Clean this mess.” He walked to go to his father’s hut, he’d see Cicle outside of it looking upset. Sub-Zero did as asked and helped Loraj to sit up and tried to clean her face. Terror looked at his mother and said, “What’s wrong, mother?”
Cicle looked up at him and said, “Your father was unresponsive to me… I fear he’s lost. Nearly ran me clear over to get away from what he had done.” She looked at the ground and said, “He sounds furious… Like he’s been punching something in there, most likely stone from the cracking noises…”
Terror would enter and witness his father beating a stone as he said, “An OutWorlder’s darkness has finally shown through.” Deverik snapped around to look at him, his mind being forced to calm. Terror snapped around to his mother and said, “Bring Dread to me, a new guardian will be named tonight.” He then looked back to his father and said, “Hand it over.”
Deverik at first clenched his fists then moved to where he stored the Kamidogu, pulling it out and handing it over to Terror. He removed the false symbol from his own armor and set it aside, not saying a word but a deep feeling of shame in his eyes. When he finally spoke it was with great distress and regret in his voice, “You both were raised so well…” He took his outside clothes and threw them into the fire. He grabbed his weapons and placed it onto his outfit then turned to go outside.
As Deverik tried to leave, Terror voiced out, “Would you simply walk out on your family?”
Deverik looked back at his son and said, “I am not walking out, I am freeing my masters so that they may go to where they belong. I have disgraced our family and the Shirai Kuei just by allowing half of my blood to prove itself still existent. I am not deserving of you, who has surpassed and gained the Elder Gods’ favor. I am simply fallen and must seek my own peace before I return. I will prove that I am just as much human as OutWorlder…”
Terror would cut his hand, not saying a word. Deverik looked at it and would pull out the dirk and sliced his own hand. With that, a shadow of Noob would appear and a dark chain would connect the two, seeming to vanish though it was still there. If Deverik would ever give up, they would both die. The shadow would disappear and the two were there. Deverik would then turn and walk out. Cicle looked up at him and said, “Where are you going?!”
“To find peace,” Deverik spoke to her, “Don’t follow me, just know that I love you and I will return.” He then turned and took off running. Cicle watched and held her emotions in, tears welling up in her eyes. She went into the hut and looked at Terror, “What is going on?”
“The OutWorlder finally came out,” Terror answered her.
Cicle looked down and shook her head, “I had spent so many years knocking that part out of him… What made it show?”
“The battle of another OutWorlder,” Terror answered.
“She’s mostly human!” Cicle said.
“Her blood still burns and Deverik is the second born of Shao Khan,” He responded.
Cicle looked up at him and said, “I will move my things from this place. It is the grandmaster’s hut and I will find my own.” Her emotions had shut off for a mere moment, going to gather her own things to take them to a new hut, a tear running down her cheek.
“You don’t need to leave, this is Deverik’s hut,” Terror spoke to her, “Besides you don’t want their hut after what they might have been doing in there.”
Cicle smirked a bit, “More like they wouldn’t want this hut after what Deverik and I have done.” She giggled a little and placed her clothes back. Terror would walk away just shaking his head, not wanting to think about it.
Terror went out to check on Loraj. She was sitting there, the blood cleaned up. She looked up and asked him, “Do I need to turn my armor in…?”
“Come by my cabin later, we will decide then,” He spoke to her. Loraj nodded and stood up, finding a place to wait. Terror headed out to Just and said, “Why did you accuse her of that?”
“Because she’s one of us,” Just spoke to Terror, not quite realizing what it was as he was in his armor now. “A Kahn and all of us Kahns are alike.”
Terror would ask her, “And who have you been with?”
Just blushed a tad bit and said, “Since OutWorld, no one. But I did manage to talk into Venir’s bed once or twice.” Terror removed his mask and helmet, showing he looked like her brother. Just looked at him and said, “Oh… Fuck… I didn’t know.” She stepped away from him.
“I am Deverik’s son, Hashi-Li. I just resemble my uncle,” Terror spoke plain.
Just took a deep breath and said, “Don’t scare me like that.” She then turned away and got her clothes out, “Also, Deverik stopped being a Kahn long ago.”
Terror smiled and said, “I guess that the trait you mentioned still runs through the blood line.”
Just turned and looked at him and said, “I thought you had brothers?”
“Yes,” Terror smirked, “But you have sisters.”
“You mean…” She thought, “Sepht and Domme?! Which one you banging with?!”
“Domme,” Terror admitted.
Just smirked and said, “Interested in some action now?”
Terror would smile and say, “Domme’s name betrays her status.”
Just blushed and said, “Oh…. Nevermind.”
Terror smirked and said, “Show me how you got into Venir’s bed.”
Just blushed and then she started smirking. She tackled him and pulled the armor off him and serviced him for a couple of hours. Domme had been watching for about an hour since she came looking for him. She enjoyed herself while enjoying them. When they were done, she looked at him and said, “Hey, it’s night time and your cousin is still sitting outside of your hut.”
Terror would get dressed and go to Loraj who was certainly just sitting there waiting for him. Terror would walk past her and say, “You may enter.” She rose and followed him in but said nothing. He would turn and say, “You have much to prove before you could be part of this clan or be known as a Kahn.”
“I know…” She spoke in a muffled voice, standing in a relaxed position but at attention.
“What do you think it would take to prove your loyalty?” He asked her strictly.
Loraj thought for a moment and closed her eyes. “It isn’t loyalty that I need to prove,” She spoke to him and then continued, “It is control. I have none on my anger. I lash out even when I am cool. It is discipline I need and my uncle gave me quite a lot of that…” She then went silent.
Terror would look to Domme, who had followed them and said, “What discipline do you think she needs?”
Domme took out her whip and cracked it. Loraj flinched at the sound of the whip and her entire body got tense. Domme looked at Terror and said, “She seems jumpy at everything. Perhaps she needs a woman’s touch.”
Loraj stepped back away from them both a bit and was shivering. Terror looked to Loraj and said, “Is it the whip or that a woman is using such, Loraj?”
Loraj looked at her and then to him and said, “Both… I would fear it if you had it too… Either way I will just get another brutal beat down…”
“Aw Loraj,” Domme said in a half sexy tone, “It won’t be a beat down.”
Loraj just got more frightened and backed up again. Terror would snap his fingers and ropes would snap out binding her spread eagle but standing with her legs and hands spread, “Domme is not the sadistic one of us, she will not react without my say, explain why you speak you need discipline but then fear it.”
Loraj started to have tears going down her face and looked at him and begged, “This doesn’t look like trying to help… YOU’RE WORSE THAN NETHERREALM!” She looked down and cried, “I want to go home…”
Terror used another wrap to seal her mouth but left her eyes uncovered as he moved in close and his hand would find its way between her legs and would give it a squeeze, “You have never felt such a thing so I expect your fear, but you ask for discipline and then do not follow it. I am not my father and what I do is not to harm those that follow me, but you are resistant to my actions. Either become a traitor and return to your family with your powers forever gone and splitting the families as your mother would have my head or do you submit and accept the discipline I deem worthy?” He would remove the wrap on her mouth so she may answer him.
When he grabbed her, tears went from her eyes. Loraj cried and struggled, but when he released her mouth, she was silent for a moment and just cried. When she gathered her thoughts she said, “Just ruin me then… I need to beat my brother, powers or not…” She was shaking and went silent, tears streaming down her face as she just let them do what they wanted.
Terrors hand would go from the icy touch he normally had to one of a heat that lick at her flesh and enact the effect he wished. He would make it so his hand was the perfect temperature to set off her sensitive areas the best. He began to run his fingers around her body missing her breasts and pussy trying to find the areas that worked the best. He would be gentle never harming her though he nodded to Domme to join him but his look would say gentle for now. He waited for Domme to join him before his hands found her uniform and in a quick motion removed it. He smirked at her form before he formed a small bead of ice and placed one on each of her nipples before doing the rest to her clit. “I am not going to wreck you or take your first time, as I have other means of discipline then this to teach someone to behave, but with your reaction to the whip I wondered what kind of man you thought me, I saved your mother’s life multiple times, I protected your life from the Nether on so many encounters that if I had left once in those years you would not be this brat.” His finger found it spot and shot up into her hole but stopping at the blockage not breaking it but he would begin to increase the heat there then made it cool then hot.
Domme wandered over and gently massaged her, following Terror’s look. Loraj was still crying but she was giving in to the sensations he was giving her. She felt his enter and all of her tensed up, tears falling again but just from being scared, yet what he said was true. She slowly stopped crying once more and just let what he was doing take over. Her gasping deeply as she didn’t understand what she was feeling as her body tensed up on its own then released. She breathed deeply and didn’t know what had just happened but it felt amazing.
Terror would smile and remove his hand from her and walk away resting in a rest chair about ten feet from her staying in her sight and she staying in his, “If you wish for more, you will no longer cry when I choose to do as I wish. You will do as I wish. If you do not wish to continue with this I will train you to be a warrior but you will never feel as you just did till it is finished. I have been learning sixty years and have much to teach a new student, so weigh your odds. Do you accept both or subject yourself to simply being a student, if you choose to keep feeling what you just did then you will learn to beg Domme to punish you however she deems fitting after you tried to fry her earlier.”
Loraj looked at him and her eyes seemed torn, she’d never had that before and now he’s giving her a choice. She looked down at the ground, feeling like a piece of dirt. “I am sorry for what almost happened,” She started, “I just want to… I…” She seemed conflicted so she blurted out her first instinct, “I will do as you say, when you say it… Teach me and I will learn…” Her fists clenched and reiterated, “I will obey…”
Domme placed her hand under her chin and said, “You will be in this hut every night after training. If I am not here and he needs pleasure you will service him. If I am here and he isn’t and I need pleasure you will service me. You will keep these acts to here and if asked, yes you may tell but we are not monsters. If you fall in love, you must tell us about it. You must have an open relationship. You will continue to come to us unless we are fine for the night and say you may go. Is that clear?”
Loraj looked into Domme’s eyes and said, “Yes, Snake.”
Terror would snap his finger releasing into Domme arms, “Teach her how to feel the joys of what I have taught you my pet.” He would watch expectantly.
Domme had her way with Loraj and Loraj enjoyed it to an extent. She wound up leaving the cabin with scratches and healing over marks from where the whip bit her flesh. She was limping a bit and went to where she stayed even if she no longer held right to her name. She left her door open and her bedroom open as she curled up onto where she had slept before. She heard someone enter her home but she didn’t move and felt her bed go down a little. She curled up tighter and closed her eyes but knew whoever was there was not leaving so she whispered, “What do you want?”
“To make sure you are alright,” A familiar voice of the man that was charged with helping her before, Sub-Zero.
“I am fine,” Loraj lied with some tears. He placed his hand on her shoulder and felt her jerk away. “You don’t need to help me anymore…”
“Yes I do,” He responded to her and gently tugged her to sit and then held onto her. “You are one of us, no matter what was said. I am here if you need me.”
Loraj hid her head on his shoulder and cried.

Rapèl walked through the NetherRealm, he was just doing his current training regimen and decided to knock some heads in of a couple Oni who believed it was an excellent idea to bother him. He then went back to practicing with the war hammer he had attained and was trying to stop throwing his shoulder out when he would use only one arm. He kept popping his shoulder back into place and trying again. After a few too many times, of doing so, he finally put the hammer down and stretched out his arm. “You are almost a spitting image,” A voice came from behind him.
Rapèl turned around and saw Shao Kahn and Shinnok. He looked away from them and picked up the hammer, “What the hell do you two want? My mother would be furious if she knew you even attempted to speak to me.”
“A mother’s boy,” Shao Kahn laughed a bit.
“Not like you would know how that is,” Rapèl chortled back, “Your wit is duller than a rock smoothed by a river.”
Shinnok laughed while Shao Kahn lost his good humor. Shinnok stepped up to Rapèl and said, “We have not come to fight, we will not harm you. We have come to ask a favor.”
“Talk fast, I’m getting bored,” Rapèl said, placing the hammer down and leaning on it. He noticed his grandfather didn’t like this use of his former hammer so he continued to lean on it.
Shinnok said, “Something very precious to me is lost and I would like you to retrieve it and possibly give it to your mother. An heirloom.”
Rapèl became interested and stood straight up, holding the hammer over his shoulder. “Go on old man.”
“It is an amulet, very shiny and full of power,” Shinnok walked closer and even touched Rapèl’s shoulder, “Her soul would know what to do with it to unlock the vast powers within.”
“Why wouldn’t my soul know?” Rapèl asked, a little frustrated.
“Do you know any sorcery?” Shinnok asked, his boney hand pressing into his shoulder, “Are you even capable of performing any?”
Rapèl looked down and was about to shake his head but he said, “It’s difficult for me, but I can.”
“Perhaps I can teach you to use it until you are able to leave?” Shinnok spoke quietly to the boy.
Rapèl didn’t get time to answer before Noob showed up and knocked the two apart. He was about to yell at Noob but he spoke first, “It is a trick, don’t listen to Shinnok.”
“I will be the judge of that myself,” Rapèl spoke and swung the war hammer at Noob, who hopped back out of the way and teleported behind Rapèl before the other two could grab him.
Noob tried to reason once more, “That amulet will free him and allow him to kill everyone.”
Rapèl turned and looked at Noob, “The fuck is your problem?” He placed the hammer on the ground and said, “Everyone tends to go to hell anyway, right?”
“If he is free he controls here and all who are in it,” Noob tried to explain. “If you will not listen to reason, I will have to lock you here or have your mother lock you to OutWorld.”
Rapèl didn’t like the sound of that, turning to Shinnok and Shao Kahn. He placed the war hammer over his shoulder and walked to them like he was on their side. Once he was close, he swung the hammer with his one arm. He threw his arm out again but the heads went flying. He turned to Noob and said, “You are our master and family. I believe you over them any day.”

Diligite just meditated calmly in his favorite training spot in OrderRealm. He wasn’t in anyone’s way nor was he messing anything up. He had learned the patterns and formed his pattern to fit his own. He began to see images flash into his skull and he pulled himself out of meditating. He was breathing fast and gripping his head. A few others who passed by at that time stared but he got a hold of himself and waved that he was fine. He leaned forward and rubbed his head, sitting back up and trying to meditate again. The images flashed again and he began to panic, opening his eyes and opting to not meditate but to just sit there. He tried to process what he was seeing.
He remembered what looked like a blue blur, it had three dark holes. Trying to place them correctly in his head, he realized that the shading and everything may have in fact been a face. He took a deep breath and went back to meditating, this time, no interruptions in his mind.

Spera was in a training room, working on her hook swords. She spun them over the backs of her hands and sliced at a dummy, cross ways up both ways then down and across. She was fast enough that she could hook and decapitate the head off the dummy before the pieces started to fall apart. She placed them crossed on her back as she tossed the head into the air and kicked it as it came back down. She then went to her father and smiled at him. He looked up at her, having already gone grey, “You excel in them more every day.”
“I try to, father,” She had a hint of sadness in her voice.
“What is the matter?” He placed his hand under her chin.
Spera looked at him and said, “You are getting old… Yet we stay so young… I don’t want to lose you…” She placed her arms around him.
Kabal held her back and said, “I will live for as long as I can.”
Tenebrae had watched them and stepped away so they wouldn’t know she was there. Her mind was already preparing itself for the worst. As she rounded the corner, she evaded Dahk who was walking the other way. Dahk looked at her and turned to follow, seeing her distress and saying, “Regir wishes to seek some assistance.”
“He can wait,” Tenebrae had a harsh tone to her voice and she nearly punched her own mark to go to heaven. One of the other elder gods were about to ask her what she was doing there but she snapped out, “You know who I am here to see…” She went straight to Raiden and instead of showing respect or waiting for anything, she hugged onto him and broke down crying. Raiden placed his arms around her and knew if he waited, she would speak in time. When she finally calmed enough to speak, she said, “Why did I need to love a human…?”
Raiden stroked her back gently and spoke softly to her, “I don’t know.”
Tenebrae shook her head and hid her head close on him. “His life span is so much shorter than mine…” She whimpered, “I took him back with me and now…”
“He will end up here,” Raiden tried to comfort her, “Just not where you can access him.”
Tenebrae hesitated and didn’t know whether to be mad or to be happy about that. “How?” She spoke and looked at him.
Raiden gave her a smile, “You gave him a second chance, and he stayed pure. He will be more than welcomed here.”
Tenebrae finally released him and looked down, smiling a bit. “But…”
“Don’t start that,” Raiden said, “One day you could be here too. Though I would think you would be on this side of Heaven than the other side.”
Tenebrae laughed a bit at that. “There’s no way, and I am not god material.” She stood straight up to look down at him. “I am just one really crazy OutWorlder with guardianship granted to me by the one who should’ve had it all by now. I am bound to protect my home, one he has never seen as his father had abandoned the family long ago. Even if he was supposed to have it, he had no right and still doesn’t. How can you protect a place if you have not lived there at all?”
Raiden smiled to her and said, “Even though he touched it first, it is yours. Though it seems you would also had done well in the nether.”
“Hell no,” Tenebrae laughed, “I can’t of ever really beat Noob.”
“I mean you’ve now lived there for a long time,” Raiden remarked. “You could have easily been tethered there.”
Tenebrae laughed when she got what he was saying. Then her face went back to solemn, “Speaking of that…” She looked down, “I haven’t had any reports on Loraj… She said she wanted NetherRealm, to go home… but apparently she is still on EarthRealm. She never talks to me and I can’t go after her out of respect for the rules. You know I wouldn’t have any foul intent but Regir seems to always need me.”
“You are busy,” Raiden nodded then said, “But you always make time for me and for Kabal and Spera, right?” Tenebrae nodded to him and listened. “You need to make time for her or just keep waiting until she comes back.”
Tenebrae smiled at him and said, “This is why I come here…” She hugged him again and said, “Please send my apologies to the others… I didn’t mean to sort of… burst in.” Raiden gave her a nod then she returned to OutWorld, ending up in the throne room. She bowed to Regir and walked up to him and asked, “Dahk said you wanted me?”
Regir nodded slightly and said, “Tenebrae… I know your human grows weak. I will prepare a ceremony for him, so that when he does leave the living once more, he will have a king’s burial.” Tenebrae nodded to him and kept her head down in a bow. “I also need to prepare my affairs thousands of years ahead of time, I would prefer that if a Venir event did happen, that I don’t have the worst will in history.”
“Understood, sir,” Tenebrae bowed and turned to walk away.
“And one more thing,” Regir spoke to her, Tenebrae turning to listen. “Some of the Zaterrans want their world back, I was thinking you could talk some sense into them. Same with a few other groupings. They are all outside.”
Tenebrae took a deep breath and let out a sigh. She headed towards the outside to ask them what was going on. She was bombarded with history lessons of what happened and then fingers getting pointed at Edenia. Finally Tenebrae got sick of all the squabbling and yelled, “SILENCE!” They all shut up and took a step away from her. “You all talk of history that most of you have possibly not lived. How many of you actually experienced anything before Edenia was given back their freedom?!” None of them stepped up. “What about when it was freed?” Only a few stepped up. “Then listen up, if you like it or not, you are all OutWorlders. To leave is desertion. If you still want your own worlds back, we’ll let you build up but then do NOT expect mercy from us if we come upon you in kombat. We will strike hard and if you are not ready, too bad you’re probably going to get re-joined. So now, who wants to separate?! Who wants to desert the home where they were born?!” The entire grouping stepped back. She looked over and saw who was known as Reptile standing beside her. She smiled and said, “You weren’t born here… You have a say.”
Reptile would give a light shrug and said, “I was not born here but I serve here.”
Tenebrae smiled and said to him, “You are in charge of them, then. If you ever change your mind, feel free to speak.” She left him with them and headed back in. She passed through the throne room and said, “It’s dealt with…” She walked right passed him and went to the training area. She saw Spera was back to training and Tenebrae went to sit beside Kabal. She smiled to him and said, “She really takes after you.”
Kabal looked over to Tenebrae and said, “But she has your beauty.”
Tenebrae blushed a bit and said, “You know we are all broken up… Knowing your life will be ending soon.” She placed her hand on his lap. “I want to know what you want to do. Regir wants to give you a king’s funeral.”
Kabal nodded and said, “That sounds nice but I would like a warrior’s death.” Tenebrae gave him a confused look so her continued. “This is not exactly a peaceful place, but you have given me a peaceful life. I would like to go out the way I came in, as a fighter.”
“Then we will,” Tenebrae said, “When do you want this?”
“While I can still fight,” Kabal said, “So within the year.”
Tenebrae thought and nodded, “I will have it arranged. What style?”
“Like kombat,” Kabal answered, “But no killing and I will be the prize.”
Tenebrae smiled and held onto him. She then said, “Why don’t we go and have one last round?” She smirked and stood up, grabbing his hands gently and tugging to go. Kabal looked at his daughter then at his wife and stood up to follow. They went to their own private room and had their fun. They came out sometime around night, at least she did. He had gone to bed. She wandered through the castle since all were asleep but one. Dahk was sitting beside the throne on the ground, alone. Tenebrae walked over to him and sat down beside him. “Something wrong?” She asked.
“No,” Dahk was staring at the entrance to the palace, just blankly.
Tenebrae tried to find the exact spot he was looking at but he seemed to have a stare that went through the wall. She then looked and saw that he had his shadows out. She smiled and said, “Do you keep lookout every night?”
“I believe if something happens, I can take care of it myself,” Dahk spoke with a slight bit of pride in his voice. “I have already caught thieves, assassins… I make sure that you all have been living well.”
“How much sleep do you get?” Tenebrae asked as she hadn’t been focusing on him.
Dahk shrugged and said, “I go to sleep when the guards wake and then I wake when Regir needs me. Sometimes I take naps through the day.”
“That’s not healthy for you,” Tenebrae said to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “How about you get a full sleep tonight, I will watch the palace.”
“I can’t do that,” Dahk said, “This is when I work my best…”
“Please,” Tenebrae begged him. “You are more than just another warrior. Go and rest.” He got up and left her, granting a nod of thanks. Tenebrae then sat where he had been and leaned her head on the throne. Nothing happened for hours until she started tracking a being who circled the palace then came in the front door. Tenebrae feigned sleep until the being got close, it wasn’t one she recognized so she kicked out and let them trip to the floor then she brought her axe to their throat. Sure enough it was someone attempting an assassination but had clear failure as she kicked the head and let it roll out the front doors. She then picked up the body and took it down into the prisons and used it as fuel in the fire.
As she went back up into the throne room, she saw Loraj and a friend be teleported there. She went to them and placed her hand on the man holding her daughter and said, “What’s the matter?”
Sub-Zero looked to her and said, “Some… terrible things happened during training…”
“What?!” Tenebrae snapped at him.
“Every mark you see on her is from after training and well, she came out of Terror’s hut like this,” Sub-Zero remarked.
Tenebrae’s fury rose and she clenched her fists, “The fuck caused this?”
Sub-Zero shrugged a little and said, “But before tha-“
“Don’t tell me anymore right now!” Tenebrae growled. She smacked her mark and called for Terror. He would appear in full armor with his arms folded. “What the fuck happened?!” Terror wouldn’t even speak but would connect eyes and show her everything that happened. She took a deep breath and then said, “Thank you…” She then locked her eyes on Loraj and said, “You shouldn’t have been acting like a little brat. Understood?” Loraj just looked down. “I want an answer young lady…”
“Yeah…” Loraj said.
“Answer like what you are being trained to be!” Tenebrae spoke fierce but calm. “If Noob saw you right now, he would be ashamed.”
“It’s not the Lin Kuei mother…” Loraj spoke under her breath.
“It is a part of it!” Tenebrae went up to her and stood firm. “You will have to face much worse if you plan to stay there and live their life style. Do you remember how Reiko looked when we freed him?”
“Yeah…” Loraj whimpered.
Tenebrae grabbed her chin and made her look her in the eyes, “Imagine that as you… Imagine being forced alive for years and getting cut open over and over. Letting the wounds heal and then doing it again. Getting burnt in places that heat shouldn’t ever touch at that intensity. Being forced to lay on ice while being forced upon and a hot poker down your throat. If you can’t survive the human’s forceful way of life, there is no way you can survive here. I have talked to the man who you have taken after and he gave me hope. Right now, you have destroyed my hope for you.”
“I wasn’t born here, I was born in NetherRealm,” Loraj attempted one last argument back.
“Then you should be tougher than any OutWorlder…” She calmed herself then looked up at Terror and said, “Make sure she is ready. Also, soon there will be a funeral. You are invited to come if you so wish. All family, even the entire clans are allowed to show up. I will give you the date later as we’re still arranging. Kabal wants a warrior’s death so we’re doing a kind of kombat style tournament but no killing and the prize is to fight Kabal and give him the death he wants.” She then said, “If you’d like to judge you can do that too. And can I speak to you in private?”
Sub-Zero looked at Terror and was about to say something but Loraj grabbed him and said, “My mother is serious…” She then slapped her mark and went back to EarthRealm.
Tenebrae gave Terror a serious look and said, “You’re sick.”
He flinched a bit and say, “Please, keep it quiet…”
Tenebrae looked down then stepped forward to him and looked in at the souls. She looked back up at him and said, “You have Venir’s soul. Why?”
“Seeking the cure…” Terror spoke firmly.
She placed her finger over her mouth and speak quietly, “Regir has it too…”
He would sigh, “The wicked will all die as one.”
Tenebrae looked into his eyes and then closed her own as she gently placed her arms around him in a friendly embrace. Terror would hug her back in return, holding the hug as long as she needed it. Tenebrae would say, “All of this death… All happening so close together in time… May the gods have mercy on your soul when the time comes…”
Terror would smile a bit and say, “I plan on my soul splitting.” Tenebrae would release him a bit so she could look at him. “The tainted bits would be in NetherRealm while my good portion will be reborn on EarthRealm.”
Tenebrae smiled and let him go except to place her hand on his shoulder, “Just watch out, you might live a normal life and not ever know us again.”
Terror shook his head and said, “I will be a child in the place where I die. My body may be a child but my mind will be my own.”
“Oh good,” Tenebrae smiled, “But you will have to get those young muscles used to how you fight.”
“I will lose most of my power,” He said, “I will be giving it all up for cryomancy.”
She nodded and said, “Understandable. Ice is a power that is to be respected and feared. I suppose Loraj will be back in NetherRealm when the time comes training with your tainted side?”
“Yes,” Terror nodded as he spoke.
Tenebrae nodded back and said, “Good, great even.” She took a deep breath and then said, “So, about the funeral, you coming?”
He would nod to her. “Just a warning,” He would say, “It was my darker side that did that to her.”
“If can’t defend herself, then she is not worth it and would never survive,” Tenebrae smiled in understanding. “Now are you going to participate or judge with me?”
“It depends on how sick I am then,” Terror spoke honestly.
“Alright then,” She smiled to him and then said, “I would participate but it is a little unfair for me to do so and you know very well why.” She blushed a bit and ran her fingers over some of her bone armor. She then smiled as she calmed and said, “I suppose you should get back to my sister. Take excellent care of Loraj… I hope to see her enter Kombat one day, doesn’t matter who for just as long as she isn’t a wimp and is willing to fight for what she believes.” Terror would smile to her and vanish.
Tenebrae smiled happily and went back to where she was sitting, looking up as she felt like a great weight had lifted off her chest. She felt someone else try to sneak in and summoned her axe, tossing it at them and cleaving in half the assassin. She chuckled then as a few more came in and she stood up. She walked over to them and cracked her knuckles, knowing they were not going to see the light of day.

About a third of a year later, invitations to all family except the imprisoned and sent as well to those in the NetherRealm of good in life with things to grant them one day passage and to the Shirai Kuei as well as to guardians of family and to Noob. The next day, Terror would arrive as well as Loraj. Those of her siblings that were already there and free would gather. Domme and Sepht would come as well as Deverik and Cicle. Dread would arrive as well. Noob did arrive as well as a few of the group she had from the Nether, greeting them with hugs as she had missed them. Rapèl and Diligite would show up and Spera would come out of her room. Kabal came out to meet and greet to see who all showed up. Then one she didn’t expect to show up did, Raiden. She dropped all respect barriers and hugged onto him and said, “Uncle I didn’t think you would come!”
“I came for you and because I knew Kabal,” Raiden smiled at her and hugged her back.
Tenebrae placed her hands on his arms and said, “You should judge with me. Keep things fair and stuff!”
“I would be honored,” Raiden spoke then he had a hug from a different side, getting to meet Loraj face to face. “I take it you are Loraj?”
Loraj nodded and said, “It is great to meet you.”
Spera, Diligite, and Rapèl came over and bowed to him first in respect then Tenebrae said, “This is Spera, she takes after her father. Diligite, born good and trained in OrderRealm. And Rapèl, looks like his grandfather but doesn’t fall for tricks, so Noob told me. Carries his grandfather’s hammer and everything and acts like him but he is kept in check.”
Raiden looked at them and said, “You are a good mother.”
Tenebrae smiled and nodded, “With another on the way.” She then blushed and her look of pride was under toned with a hint of sorrow.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t watch?” Raiden suggested to her.
“He wants me to,” Tenebrae smiled and looked back as Kabal came up to her, them placing their arms around each other in a close embrace. She then said, “I will be strong and understand this is what he wants.” She then kissed Kabal passionately, needing to bend down to do so. They stayed lip locked for a full two minutes and then pulled apart looking into each other’s eyes. She looked deep into his and said, “Rest until it is time.” He would nod to her and take off to go wait. She watched him go and forced a smile.
Spera took off after her father to help him get comfortable. Rapèl went up to his mother and said, “Be strong.”
“I am,” Tenebrae nodded to him and watched him take off to get ready. Diligite offered her a hug and she gave him one back. He then took off to go get ready as well. She looked to Raiden and forced a better smile, “Let me escort you to where we will be seated.” She led him to where they would sit then she went off to go find Terror as he got comfortable. She approached him and said, “So… Are you fighting or judging?”
Terror shook his head and said, “Judging.”
“I am so sorry,” Tenebrae spoke and lead him to where she lead Raiden and then went off to go find Noob first. When she found him, she placed her right hand into a fist and cupped her left over it as she bowed to him. “Master Noob, I would like to request you judge with us.” Noob bowed back to her and accepted the request, making his own way there. Tenebrae would then run to find Der and thought about what she wanted to say and decided that out of respect for him, she would attempt to speak backwards. “Su htiw egduj esaelp uoy dluow?” Der would nod back in respect and saw where the others were sitting and headed in that direction. Tenebrae then went to Dread and would bow the same as she did to Noob and said, “Would you please judge with us instead of fight?” Dread would bow back and agree, heading to where the others were. She took tabs on heads and got a piece of paper and jotted down who all was there and took the things with her, so she could cross off who was out. She then stood up and looked at those in the arena they made and said, “Those who wish to fight may hop in. One pairing at a time. No killing is allowed. This is a friendly competition so that Kabal may have his wish to die a warrior’s death. Those who are not fighting, please sit off at the side until an opening is available. When the fight is called, then the victor may choose to stay or to leave the arena.” She held her arms up and said, “Let the festivities begin!”
Just swiftly hopped into the arena and was raring to prove herself. Lin then pushed herself in and looked to see who’d gotten in first. Others had hopped in but got out when they saw two others were in first. The fight was called and Just kicked low, trying to knock out Lin’s ankle. Lin would move that same leg up into a kick against her and drew her blade, swinging the dull end at Just. Just bent backwards and once the blade had passed, kicked up with her feet to knock Lin’s elbow. This made her drop her sword and by the time Lin was able to turn, Just had kunai to her throat and then she moved them away and sheathed them. “Just wins.”
Just smirked and stayed in the arena as Lin pulled herself to go watch the rest, taking her blade with her. Spera hopped in before anyone else could think to move. She pulled out her hook swords and spun them over her hands and pointed a blade at Just and said, “Don’t get too cocky.”
“I am a Shirai Kuei, I could most certainly beat you and your fancy swords,” Just said and pulled her kunai.
Spera only smirked and said, “Use your ice then, it shouldn’t be an issue as I have had my hand against master Noob before.” Before the fight was called, she re-sheathed her hook swords and turned to the judges and made her right hand into a fist, cupping in her left and bowing. She then turned and bowed to Just and took her blades back out. Just narrowed her eyes and only bowed back to her but kept her weapons out and ready. The fight was called and before Just could even move in close enough, Spera had taken a step in and hooked the blades fully around her neck. Spera pointed up and shot some of the black ice. Spera yanked her swords away and Just froze her own nose. Spera then hooked the blades onto Just’s ankles and twisted to knock her down and stepped onto her back with a blade pointed down at her. She then flipped it back sheathed them onto her back. “Spera wins.”
Spera took her foot off Just and Just got up. It was clear her pride was shattered and she left the arena. Spera decided to opt out of going again to rest. Domme hopped in and was shortly followed by the Scorpion who was in the nether, Hanzo. Domme smiled as she was in full gear and said, “This will be a challenge.”
“I will not hold back except to not kill you,” Scorpion replied. They both bowed to the judges in their separate ways then bowed to each other and stanced up.
The fight was called and while Scorpion threw out his spear, Domme lashed out her whip. It would wrap around the chain and she pulled him to her and kicked at his chest. He caught the foot and pushed it away for her to use the momentum to swing back around and punch at him with her free hand. As he blocked that away she kicked again and aimed for his head. He ducked and punched out to knock her leg from under her. She shifted her leg to start going down as he did so, her full weight coming onto his head. He would shake it off and stand up fast as his chain unlatched. She rolled back onto her feet and snapped her whip to get the unattached chain out of her whip. He summoned fire beneath her and she flipped back out of the way. She snapped her whip out over at him and caught his wrist. He’d pull on it and she used the pull to launch herself at him like a coiled snake. He would catch her leg and push her down, thrusting his hand at her chest. She would raise her knee up between his legs and it caused hesitation. She would then crack her whip off his wrist and to his neck but he would grab it too fast and touched the tip of one of his spears to her collarbone. He then stood up and held out a hand to help her up. She took it and stood. “Scorpion wins.”
“You fought well, Snake.” He bowed to her again.
Domme bowed back to him and said, “It was an honor to be your opponent.” She tucked away her whip and ran to go watch.
Scorpion stayed in and Vendict managed to hop in first. He looked at Scorpion and said, “You are very impressive. I hope I stand as good of a chance as she did. It will be an honor to fight you.” He crossed an arm over his chest as a salute to him then did the same to the judges before pulling all four of his swords. Scorpion bowed to him and got ready. The fight was called. Vendict swung all four of his swords and Scorpion would block. He pushed against them and kicked Vendict in the chest, him able to take the blow with his armor. He then swung once more but Scorpion was much faster than him and tapped his tip right on his neck. Vendict smirked and pulled his blades back. “It seems I have much to learn still.” They bowed and saluted and Vendict moved out of the arena.
“Scorpion wins.”
Scorpion removed himself from the arena to give others a chance. Sepht hopped in and before Loraj saw she had, she also hopped in. Loraj then turned and saw who had jumped in and fought her urge to run. Sepht smirked and said, “They said we couldn’t kill, that doesn’t mean it won’t be painful, little girl. Run away now.”
“I won’t run,” Loraj said to her and then turned and bowed to the judges first and then to her as she said, “If I run, I dishonor my master and my family. I will no longer do that.”
“Still a brat,” Sepht smirked and bowed to the judges and didn’t bow to her.
The fight was called and Sepht took out a small sword and struck out at Loraj. Loraj managed to fade into sparks and appear behind her aunt and thrust her fist out at her. Sepht twisted around and blocked the punch pushing it off to the side. She thrust the sword forward. Loraj rose her hand up and caught the blade, being the first blood of the friendly fight and then sent a small shock into the blade. Sepht released and kicked for Loraj’s midsection, making Loraj release the blade and bend over. She looked up to see Sepht’s fist coming at her face and she smirked a moment before dispersing again into sparks and reforming behind her. She punched at Sepht’s back to push her over and then Sepht rolled and grabbed her sword. She rose to face and slice at Loraj to find a hovering ball of static in her face that Loraj was holding in place with more self-control than she had ever shown. She then pulled it back to herself and though her body sparked, she was able to pull her own energy back in despite showing signs of fatigue from doing so. Tenebrae spoke with a smile, “Loraj wins.”
Sepht smiled and bowed to Loraj, “I held back.”
Loraj bowed back to Sepht and said, “Next time, don’t. If I am going to do this right I will have to learn to lose.”
Sepht left the arena and went to watch. Loraj walked out of the arena to rest, taking deep breath and holding where she was kicked with the cut hand. Dahk went into the arena as well as Kung Lao. Dahk bowed his head to the judges and then to Kung Lao as he said, “It is an honor.”
Kung Lao showed his respects and said, “The honor is all mine.”
Dahk smiled to him and stood ready to fight. Kung Lao stanced up. The fight was called and Kung Lao tossed his hat to test what Dahk could do. Dahk drew his blade at the last moment and knocked the hat away. He then re-sheathed the blade into his cane and pulled the darkness from the shadows around him and had it climb up Kung Lao’s legs. He was much faster with his sorcery now and seemed in great practice. He gave Kung Lao’s legs a tiny squeeze and smiled at him. Kung Lao smiled back and Dahk released his legs. Dahk bowed to him again and said, “It was most excellent to fight you.”
Kung Lao nodded and bowed to him. “Same to you.”
“Dahk wins.”
Kung Lao climbed out of the arena. Dahk remained in and Tamereth hopped in to try and get a piece of the action. She bowed to the judges and to Dahk and said, “I have been trained by the best, show me what you’ve got brother.”
Dahk bowed to her and said, “You may have trained with the Shirai Kuei, but I have maintained a sorcery that could overpower yours.”
The match was called and immediately Dahk covered the arena in darkness. Tamereth moved fast from place to place, avoiding the rising darkness and getting in close to Dahk with a kunai. Dahk brought out his sword and the two clashed together. He was slightly stronger than her and knocked the kunai from her hand, especially since he was using two-handed and she was using single-handed. She thrust in the other hand with a kunai and he brought his elbow down into his wrist as he sheathed his blade. He then pulled the darkness onto her feet and had to drop it as she punched him in the face. He backed up but swung out at her first with his fist. She caught it and then caught his other fist. He head-butted her and then kicked her in the stomach to knock her down. He then covered her in the darkness to show he had won. Then he released her and wiped his bloody nose. He reached a hand down and helped her up. They bowed to each other. “Dahk Wins.”
Tamereth moved to leave the arena. Dahk wanted to push himself further and stayed in. That was when Cicle jumped in. Dahk bowed to her and said, “This is an odd way of meeting.”
Cicle bowed to the judges and then to Dahk and said, “You should have left the arena, I won’t hold back.”
“I would feel dishonored if you did,” Dahk spoke back to her.
They would both stance up and the fight was called. Dahk spread the darkness and Cicle froze the ground beneath her so the natural light reflected in around her. Dahk accepted that this would be a true challenge and formed the shadows into 6 hound-looking creatures specific to OutWorld and sent them at her. Cicle ducked under the first one and punched through the second one to come at her. She pivoted and kicked one coming in behind her. She saw two of them coming from one side and Dahk coming from the other so she did a kick through both of the shadows, turned to face Dahk, and caught the oncoming blade in her hands before it could even tap her head. She then pressed herself under the blade and rammed her head into his gut. He had let go with one hand so he did push back a bit. He then released the blade so it fell behind her and used her stepping off the ice as an attempt to grab her with the darkness. She moved her feet fast enough that he couldn’t get a grasp and kicked him in the face. He went down but managed to tumble backwards and onto his feet. He pulled the darkness onto himself and it formed into a dark armor. He blocked the next incoming punch with his arm and punched back at her. She blocked and they were able to do this quite a few times before Cicle pulled back and kicked Dahk in the abdomen and flipped herself backwards, grabbing his sword and using it to slice at him. He would block with his darkness armor and kick her in the chest, knocking her back but not down. She would swing again and he would grab the blade but left her an opening as she formed an ice blade on her other hand and gently tapped a crack in the shadowy armor. Dahk smiled and took his blade to sheathe it once more. “I made one foolish mistake,” Dahk bowed his head to her.
“Learn from it,” Cicle bowed to him properly.
“Cicle wins.”
Dahk pulled himself out of the arena, sitting himself to go watch. Cicle remained in and Diligite had managed to hop in first. He placed his hand opened with palms towards himself stepping a leg back before bowing his head to the judges first and then to Cicle. He smiled to his aunt and said, “Your skill shows the discipline that is required to defeat any foe. Perhaps my own levels may present you with a challenge.”
Cicle bowed to him and stanced up, “I don’t think so kid.”
The fight was called and Diligite first teleported behind her and kicked for her head back and rear. Cicle spun around and blocked the three kicks then witnessed something she didn’t like. Diligite had morphed his appearance into Deverik’s just by seeing him this one time. While Cicle had been stunned by such, Diligite sent a punch flying at her chest. She got knocked over by it and Diligite morphed back to himself and sent a punch down at her. She recovered and blocked the punch while wrapping her legs around his arm and pulling him off to the side. He was locked onto the ground but smirked and managed to teleport himself out of the bind, bringing a leg down towards her head. She rolled out of the way and got up to see he had morphed into Terror. Cicle and Diligite threw punches, blocks and kicks at each other, no one making true progress against the other until Diligite mimicked the black ice by attaching her to the ground with it and then kicked her to the ground. She broke out of the seal and landed on her back. Diligite then reverted to himself and tried again for the showing of that he could land a finishing punch. Cicle rolled out of the way and kicked his leg out to trip him. He rolled forward and turned as she was about to kick him upside the head. He ducked under the blow and ended up punching her side. They went back and forth for a little while and then the fight got confusing as he morphed into her and the arena ended up looking like an ice pit. One of the two of them got hit to the ground hard enough that there was an audible bone crack against the ice. The fallen one was revealed to be Diligite and he tried to force himself to get back up. Cicle moved over to him and checked on him. Diligite made it clear he wasn’t going to give up so easy and threw a fist at her. She caught it and pushed it down, he was at the least persistent. Diligite then focused deeper into himself and his eyes flashed for a moment as the ground cracked behind Cicle, she spun around to see bones of a large hand forcing out of the ground. It grasped hold of her and tossed her to the other end of the arena before turning to dust. Tenebrae stood up in total shock, only to be held down by some of the others. The fight would continue but she didn’t like where this was going. Diligite forced himself to stand and he popped his back as they slid into place though a few had fractured a bit. He took a deep breath and focused his center as weak portals began to open up around them. Cicle got herself up and thought fast, icing over each one, as she was doing such Diligite threw a fist from afar as it looked like the fist’s path dislocated from his hand and a skeletal one took its place. She tumbled out of the way of it and shot a small ice ball at him to try to get him to stop. He raised his hand and a shield formed in front of him to block it. He then ran into the frozen shield, busting through it with his shoulder and grabbing at her throat. Cicle backpedaled and knocked his hand away before kicking him in the gut then jabbing her elbow into his back. He fell over and she made an ice blade to tap on him. He rolled over and grabbed it and shoved it away, both of them were panting a bit but controlled their breathing. He then made his other hand rise and the skeletal hand appeared again and just grabbed her. She struggled but it gave her a slight squeeze before letting her go. Cicle looked down at him and saw that he had really played himself out doing those things. She knelt down to him and helped him up, checking him and finding all sorts of bruises and a couple cuts. “From what I have seen so far,” Cicle would admit to him, “You are the strongest of your siblings.”
Diligite gave a smile and said, “I need help getting out of the arena…”
“Diligite wins.”
Cicle helped Diligite out of the arena and once he was settled for his break, she went to go watch with the others who had been taken out of the friendly tournament. Tenebrae didn’t pay attention to who was hopping in next and said simply to the other judges and quietly enough so that no one else would hear, “I don’t feel comfortable with him continuing… Not because he is injured or my son but because of what he had just done there.” All the others were in agreement with this. She stood up and then said, “Diligite, despite your win, we all have agreed that you should stand down. Please remove yourself from the tournament and watch instead.”
Diligite nodded to his mother and crossed since the battle of the next two out hadn’t started yet. He went into the watching section, sitting. Tenebrae sat down and looked at the arena, which Terror cleaned of the ice, to see who had stepped up to face one another. Deverik and Kuai Liang (Sub-Zero) bowed to the judges and then to each other and stanced up. The fight was called to start and they both threw an ice ball and they collided in the center as the two of them circled around it to meet on the side facing the judges to start hand to hand. Both were able to punch and block each other in near perfect unison, making it clear that Deverik was near the same level as his master’s master. They both pushed away from each other and set out ice clones. They went around and as they fought with fists and feet, they dropped ice clones over the entire arena almost but left enough room for each other to barely squeeze through them to fight one another. It was harder for Deverik due to his stature but it was clear that he could do it. When it began to get too crowded, Deverik turned up the heat as his arms ignited as he smashed through the clones with minimal damage to strike at this formidable opponent. Sub-Zero had to block and used ice on his own arms to cancel the heat hitting against him. They both backed off and started throwing the clones at each other. This made a shattered mess that cut up the both of them as ice flew everywhere. Once all the clones were gone, they bashed into one another and apart again. Deverik pulled out two roped kunai and tossed them at him but ice began to travel down from the tips of the kunai and along the rope so Deverik lit the rope from his end to stop it but the fire froze. He released the ropes and slid under them. He rose up and landed a firm punch onto Sub-Zero’s bottom jaw. He backed a step and kicked Deverik in the chest. Deverik stepped a bit back and then pulled out two more kunai and ice traveled back along them and looked like wings behind him as they formed on his arms. He lit that on fire and swung at Sub-Zero, who launched an ice ball at him right in the middle. Deverik wasn’t fast enough to block and was frozen over. He ended up falling backwards and took deep breaths through his nose to warm up. Sub-Zero moved over to him and squatted down and watched him. Deverik smiled at him and once he got his hands and arms able to move more freely, he took his help to get up and they bowed to one another, Deverik still a little frosted.
“Sub-Zero wins.”
Kuai Liang said to Deverik, “You have rage in you, until you let that go, you will not be on par with your masters.”
Deverik nodded and said, “I understand. Thank you.” He moved to go watch, still noticeably trying to warm up.
Sub-Zero removed himself from the arena. The first two to hop in after him was Yemara and Johnny Cage. Johnny looked at Yemara and said, “Hey! You look like Baraka!”
“I am a tarkata,” Yemara answered and said, “I have heard stories of you.”
Johnny looked at the judges and said, “Can I get a do-over? I might break him.”
Tenebrae almost snorted trying to hold back laughing at that comment. She said, “Watch your tongue, I said no killing but he might cut it out now. Fight.”
Yemara swung a fist for Johnny’s head and it was caught, just for him to get a knee in the ribs. Johnny backed off and said, “You’re quicker than Baraka.”
Yemara stayed in silence as he kicked Johnny once more in the chest as he interrupted his talking. They both went silent and started doing hand to hand in near sequence then Yemara got Johnny down due to a cocky move and pushed out his blades and gently tapped them on Johnny’s throat as he said, “I have lost respect for you but not the legends of you.” He pulled his blades in and stepped away. Johnny wouldn’t accept help up and walked away from the arena and just kept going to go leave off steam.
“Yemara wins.”
Yemara climbed out of the arena and waited for the next fight. Spera and Despara hopped in, Spera raring to go again. Despara said, “You are cute, ever think about getting in with a woman?”
“I would never do that with family,” Spera bowed first to the judges and then to Despara before getting into stance and drawing her blades.
Despara smirked and said, “Let’s make this juicy, I win, you try me out. You win, I do what you want.” She bowed to the judges and then to Spera, pulling out her staff and spinning it as she got ready to fight.
It was called to start and Despara shielded herself in light and then stood there. Spera didn’t even attack it and smirked, knowing that she can’t hold it forever. They waited for a minute before Despara started throwing light disks out at her. Spera bent and dodged nimbly out of the way. She was highly athletic and yet did little things to dodge. Despara was getting antsy and left her shield to try and smack Spera with her staff, it only getting caught in a hook blade and Spera kicked her aunt down and pushed her free blade in around her neck but didn’t cut down. “Fear would have ended you, don’t hide nor rush.”
“Spera wins.”
Spera pulled her blade out and sheathed them and helped Despara up. Despara then walked to go watch. The next two to hop in after Spera got out was Liu Kang and Reptile. They had a formidable fight but Liu Kang came out ahead. The next up was Yemara and Scorpion. Yemara looked at Scorpion and bowed to him as he said, “I am nowhere near your skill but it would be an honor to fight you.”
“I will not go easy on you then,” Scorpion bowed back and the two stanced up.
The fight was called and Scorpion launched out a chain, Yemara extending a blade and the chain wrapping around the blade. He then tugged and pulled Scorpion to him and he brought his other arm up but Scorpion rolled under the arm and tapped the tip of his other spear to his sternum. Yemara looked down and sighed, “I made a careless mistake.”
“You have been trained well, though. Continue on this path and you will be the first of your kind that we may recognize as a ninja,” Scorpion pat him on the back.
Yemara bowed to him and walked to get out of the arena. “Scorpion wins.”
Scorpion removed himself from the arena, Loraj and Rorik hopping in. Rorik smirked and said, “What a cute little kitten, maybe I should go easy on you.”
“Watch out, I just might shock you!” Loraj bowed to the judges and then to Rorik before getting into stance.
Rorik tipped his head to the judges and then stanced up, he did not feel any respect for Loraj. The fight was called and Loraj sparked up her body. Rorik swung his axe at her with what looked like full force. Loraj shot a lightening ball at him as she ducked down. The axe went over her head and the ball singed him as she held it away from him. “I told you…” Loraj said.
Rorik just stepped away from it and went to go watch. Loraj looked at him and took her lightening back in. “Loraj wins.”
Loraj pulled herself out of the arena. Scorpion hopped back in and Rapèl was shortly after him. Rapèl laughed a bit and said, “This is going to be fun.” He bowed to the judges and then to Scorpion before pulling out the war hammer. Scorpion did his bows and then stanced up. The fight was called and Rapèl swung his hammer at Scorpion and hit him square in the chest with the speed he had with it. Scorpion bounced off the ground of the arena and stood back up. Rapèl ran at Scorpion and swung again with one hand. Scorpion ducked under the hammer and stood to get a firm punch to the face. Scorpion took a few steps back and tried to not go down but Rapèl swung the hammer back around and bashed him in the chest again, sending him down. Rapèl then went to where Scorpion landed and full force was bringing the hammer down. Tenebrae snapped out of her seat and dove over Scorpion, placing her arms up and bracing against the hammer. She pushed him back and kicked him in the chest so her son would fall onto the ground. She then knelt down and checked on this body of Scorpion’s and took a deep breath. Rapèl got up and left his hammer on the ground and said, “What are you worried about, he’s already dead.”
Tenebrae glared at her own son and summoned her axe as she said, “You got two choices… Step down despite winning or face me.”
“Mother, don’t do this,” Rapèl spoke, “Don’t be a sore loser cause you were rooting for the other side.”
“I was not rooting for anyone,” Tenebrae spoke back to him with a snap in her voice, “The rules were clearly stated that you may not kill. I do not care if the opponent is from the nether, I will not allow anyone to destroy their bodies. This is supposed to be a fun get together, not a slaughter.”
Rapèl laughed at his mother and said, “You talk so much about being an OutWorlder and yet you show so much compassion for those of other realms. So much emotion and yet you hide it all under solid control.” He took a breath, “Perhaps you were meant to be a guardian elsewhere. I am not afraid to fight you, mother.” He picked up his war hammer and pointed it at her. “I will show you how you have fallen.”
Tenebrae looked up at the other judges and asked, “Should I put him in his place and show him why? If so, someone move Scorpion.” They would agree and Dahk from off the sidelines moved him out of the way and with them. She snapped her mask off from her armor and placed it over her face and snapped out, “Call it!” The fight was called and Rapèl tried to swing as he had before. Tenebrae blocked it with her axe and hooked her blade right under the main part of the hammer, ripping it out of his hand and sending it and her axe flying to the side with the axe trapping the hammer. Rapèl was stunned by the ferocity of his mother and threw a punch aimed for her head. She caught it so he threw another with his other hand and she caught that. She head-butted him and pushed him backwards then kicked him in the gut. He went down and she stepped onto his pelvis and knelt down and lightly squeezed his neck. Tenebrae spoke in a cold voice, “You’re eliminated… Do not question my ability again.” She stood up and went back to the other judges as she looked back at Rapèl, “I win…” She sat back in her seat but seemed really irritated now, even leaving her mask on to hide her mouth.
Rapèl moved out of the arena, breathing heavy and wiping blood from his face. Li hopped in with Weren right after him. As soon as the fight was called, they moved in and Weren touched Li with his tranquility and made him fall asleep. “Weren wins.”
Weren took Li out of the arena then hopped back out the other side. Loraj hopped back in and happened to get in with Jax. Loraj looked at him and then to the judges and bowed to them as she said, “I would like to bow out. Not because I am frightened but because it is coming down to the final few and I would prefer to not be the hand that kills my own father.”
Tenebrae smiled a bit and said, “You may, Jax wins.” Loraj nodded in thanks and gave Jax a hug before leaping out of the arena.
Jax stayed in and Weren hopped back in. When that fight started, it was as simple as being blasted into a wall. Weren was nearly instantly knocked out, Jax making sure he didn’t kill him. “Jax wins.”
Jax helped Weren off then sat out for the next. Spera hopped back in and Sonya leapt in. Spera smiled and said, “Sonya, the sensible one. It will be an honor to fight a hero of the past.”
“I will enjoy sparing with you too,” Sonya got prepared to fight.
Between them, Spera won once more. Then the new Sub-Zero hopped in with the past Sub-Zero, the past one obviously winning. Then Spera against Sub-Zero, Spera winning by a mere margin. Then Spera against Liu Kang, him forfeiting as to not fight a wounded opponent. Then Spera against Jax where she mustered her strength and managed to win again. Spera stayed in as the last opponent finally made it into the ring, Regir. He hadn’t been too fast to hop in and finally made it in. Spera bowed to Regir as the emperor and then to the judges then to him again as an opponent. Regir bowed to the judges and then to Spera, standing as a sign he was ready.
Spera looked at Regir and said, “May I apologize ahead of time if I win, my emperor?”
“Apologize later,” Regir’s eyes locked onto her like a hawk. “Let’s just have fun.”
Spera smiled and drew her blades. The fight was called and Spera tried her usual trick to slice through Regir, sand falling from between her blades. She stepped back and felt Regir’s hand on her throat and sand over the rest of her body and creeping up. Spera wiggled and broke out of the sand with a back kick to Regir and turned as she swung her blade. He spread into sand again and reformed behind her and then caught her foot as she turned, causing her ankle to crack but she seemed to not want to give up. Regir kept hold but asked, “Why do you want to win so badly, you know what the prize is.”
Spera looked up at him and said, “I want to fight hook blade to hook blade with my father and show him how well I have progressed… I want to give him comfort before death.”
Regir smiled to her and released her ankle, turning to the judges and said, “I am stepping out. Let her have her father.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Alright then… That was kind of you, Emperor Regir…” She clenched her fist a bit and said, “Kabal, you may enter the field…” She had a tear travel down from her eye but she sat tight and watched, knowing he wanted her to. She watched him enter and pull out his old blades.
Spera looked at her father and stood odd on her twisted ankle and said, “I will show you what I have learned, father… And I will surpass you.”
“I expect as much,” Kabal got into a stance and faced Spera. Tenebrae couldn’t call the start of the fight so one of the others did so. Raiden placed his hand onto hers to let her know that he was there for support. Tenebrae took a deep breath and watched, trying to maintain her emotions and stabilize what she was feeling.
Spera and Kabal matched each other wonderfully, it was like a dance of blades intertwining with other moves between. He might not have been optimal but her injuries put him on his level. They clashed until his swords broke and she stabbed through him in the stomach with one and the chest with the other. She pulled them out and then to make the death quicker, beheaded him. Spera then turned and knelt down, placing her blades on the ground and her hands on her lap. Tenebrae stood up and then said, “He has received what he has asked for, now he may be buried as the warrior he was.”
Regir lead his grouping to go do things his way, including the pre-preparations that he sought fit. Tenebrae then removed herself from her grouping and went to go check on the injured. She went first to Scorpion because of the hammer beating he took. She checked on his body and noticed it was pulling back together fine. She gave him a pat on the chest then moved to the next most serious wounding. The way she was acting was clear to those that had gotten to know her, she was hiding her emotions and using that negative energy to good use despite her current condition. She was guarding her people though, showing that she cared enough to set herself aside for those who needed her.
She then returned to the others who had judged with her and went right up to Noob, bowing first to her master then coming closer to say, “Once all is said and done, we need to talk.” She saw him nod and then she went back to Raiden and hugged onto her uncle.
“Are you alright?” He asked her.
“I must be,” Tenebrae responded and gave him a smile. “I will need to look around for someone to help with my next round of children though.” She then giggled. “I would ask you but you have god stuff to do.”
“You’ll find someone,” Raiden smirked.
Tenebrae gave him one more hug then said, “Let me know when Regir’s done getting all the fancy shit over with, I am going to go cool off.” He gave her a nod and she took off and into the palace and to the training room. She felt someone follow that she didn’t know directly but didn’t feel they were a threat. She went to a few of the dummies and just punched straight through them. When she had ran out of those, she started punching out the bricks of the castle. That was when the being approached and she pivoted to them, “Stay back!”
“You should not be destroying the castle,” The voice came from a man that was near equal in her height, unable to tell if his skin was just a different color or if it was painted. He had distinct markings on him and beautiful armor with a headdress adorned with feathers. His eyes glowed beautifully to her, but she was not about to speak to the strong statured man with her solid graces at first.
“I will put the bricks back,” Tenebrae spoke up in a snap and said, “You shouldn’t be giving orders to your Realm’s guardian.”
“Your mind is broken from the recent occurrence and everyone knows it,” He spoke back to her in his strong voice.
“Despite emotion, I showed the strength to stay put during it,” She argued back to him. “I just now have to find help for something that I was left with.”
“Your condition was obvious as well,” He stated, “By all rights you shouldn’t have been there.”
“You shouldn’t have followed me and attempted to order me around,” Tenebrae was getting angered, “Also it is very hard to hide being four months into giving life! For punishment, you’re going to help me through this.” He tried to open to argue and she said, “Is that clear? I do not like you and by all means I will run you ragged. Maybe I will like you later as a nanny but right now this is punishment.”
“That is a woman’s work!” He argued.
Tenebrae couldn’t hold back and instead of striking him, she turned and crushed some of the bricks she punched by punching them. “My nanny was a male and I turned out just fine so call it whatever you like, it is your job now and you will be in charge of the bricks being replaced! How do you like that?!” She was practically yelling at him now.
He stepped back and said, “I did not mean to anger you. I will do as you ask.”
He started to leave and Tenebrae said, “What’s your name?”
“Ko’atal,” He responded before leaving the room.
Tenebrae sighed and rubbed her forehead, she had almost hit him. That would have looked bad, but she quelled her anger. Instead of waiting for someone to come retrieve her, she headed back out and went to the funeral to stand with the other guardians and Raiden and Terror. She looked to the other guardians and to Raiden and said, “I will need us all to talk about Diligite before you leave after this.”
They looked to her but understood why. Him having those powers could lead to problems in the future, or it could be nothing. She then asked to Raiden, “Would you be able to allow the others to come so that all the guardians may talk this over?”
“I believe so,” Raiden spoke, “This is a disturbing predicament.”
“Thank you, uncle,” She said.
“Tahw os?” Der spoke to her, “Srewop Shinnok’s htiw pu dedne eh os. Laed gib. Dik doog a si eh nees evah I tahw morf.”
“We will discuss it later,” Tenebrae said to her brother, “Have you read any of the history?”
“OutWorld rof derac reven I,” he responded, “On os.”
“You’ll get a quick history lesson once we all meet,” Tenebrae spoke up.
The funeral was long but it was fit for a king, as Regir had made sure of it. Only a few shed tears while others stood strong with respect. This was their ways of saying goodbye without speaking. Once it was all over, the groupings said their goodbyes to one another. Those that needed to go were taken back to their respective places. The only ones who would stay were the guardians and they would all convene to what used to be a war room to talk. The remaining guardians were gathered there to be briefed and spoken with on how to deal with the situation. Tenebrae let Raiden open the conversation as he was an elder god, seeing it as only right. “I am sure you question as to why you have been brought to OutWorld. There is a matter at hand that requires our attention,” He started, “All of you know what Shinnok had brought through the powers he contains. For the few who don’t know, he has caused mayhem that not even your realm would enjoy seeing.”
Der shook his head and said, “Tniop eht ees t’nod llits I.”
Tenebrae took over, “Even if the soul is untainted, he now has capabilities that could lead him to corruption. With such capabilities, all of the realms could be at stake. And please have the curtesy to talk forward for everyone…”
Der sighed and said, “Fine… It’s just harder to talk this way.”
“Thank you,” Tenebrae said though he seemed to just brush it aside.
“First,” Raiden took back over, “The capabilities seen were a sample of some of Shinnok’s strongest abilities. He cannot fully control them yet but we do not know which path he may take.”
“His soul is pure thus far,” Tenebrae contributed first. “It seemed to flash corrupted for a mere second then went back to pure as if nothing had happened.”
“Are you certain you aren’t defending him as his mother?” Der input.
“I would like him sealed so he can never become fully corrupt,” Tenebrae spoke dark, “Does that answer your question.”
“That is despicable as a parent,” Kitana seemed to want to speak up.
Tenebrae glared at her and said, “Tell me how many children you’ve raised?” Kitana went silent. “Thought so.”
“How can we even be sure he is a threat?” Noob decided to ask, “He seems very loyal to you as his mother and it seems all of the children alike still follow what I had taught all of you.”
“You make a point,” Tenebrae spoke, “But corruption is corruption. If it grows or stays then he would make us all damned.”
“I should not be here,” Dread spoke, “Deverik would know better on this matter.”
Tenebrae looked at him and then looked to Raiden. Raiden nodded and let Dread go, Deverik appearing. After a short briefing on what was discussed, Deverik gave Tenebrae a pitiful look. “It is hard to decide what to do if corruption is present, especially if it is your own child,” Deverik admitted with a tinge of regret in his voice, “You can only pick a road and hope that what you are doing is right. If your child walks a clear path, then perhaps those powers may be used to benefit us all. If he walks the path of corruption, then we will need a backup plan to halt his power.”
“Does it involve sending siblings to kill?” Tenebrae asked him in a snappy tone.
“At least mine didn’t have the gall to kill their own parent,” Deverik spoke back.
“Enough,” Raiden interrupted them, “Set such differences aside. We need to stay on task.”
Tenebrae and Deverik glared at one another. Kitana then asked, “Why not prepare an amulet? One that will take him in that is for his powers.”
“I could encase a portion of purity that will slowly clean the soul,” Deverik offered.
Tenebrae looked at them and smiled a bit behind her mask. She said, “Alright… Raiden?”
Raiden nodded and said, “We will need items from all realms, a sorcerer, and of course help from each of you. One Gem from each realm, precious metal to hold it together, and then to enchant it.”
All of the guardians and Deverik spread back to their realms, Raiden stayed behind to talk to Tenebrae. She looked at him as she leaned onto the central table and put her head down. She removed her mask and just set it on the table and said, “As bad as I want to step down… I know I can’t… I just need to suck it up and deal with it…”
“You could always step down,” Raiden said, “But I am sure that none would be as befitting a guardian as you are.”
Tenebrae sighed and felt his hand on her back, him sitting beside her. She said, “You’re just saying I am better than my father… But wasn’t he good once? Just manipulated into doing bad things?”
“He traveled down the wrong path,” Raiden spoke freely, “We were born into the wrong path. I made my own and you made your own. Now you have wonderful children and more on the way. Hold strong.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Now I need to go find a gem… I will be back.” She got up and ran out and right into Ko’atal. She accidently knocked him over and offered to help him back up.
He looked up to her and blurted out, “You have the face of a goddess.”
Tenebrae blushed and ran back into the war room, slipping her mask back on, then heading back out to find he’d already stood up. “Flirts will get you nowhere.” She then stepped to walk around him and he stepped into her way.
“Allow me to help you,” He asked of her.
Tenebrae took a deep breath and then stepped around him again, waving him to come with her. They walked through the palace and then outside into the night. She took a deep breath and saw Dahk’s darkness spread over the ground. She smirked to him and said, “You seem to be taking your punishment seriously.” She began to walk and he would follow behind her.
“I am,” He admitted, following close, “I listened in on what the issue was.”
“You shouldn’t have,” Tenebrae said to him. “That was guardians and a select few only.”
“I apologize,” Ko’atal spoke with distress, “Will you punish me further?”
“No,” Tenebrae said then focused forward. She took a deep breath and stopped on a rock to sit in town about halfway through. She rubbed her head and said, “I thought that being a guardian would stop these symptoms… The worst ones are gone but I still get dizzy.”
Ko’atal knelt next to her and said, “Womanhood is hard. Even if you do more than just female roles I can understand why you would have inducted harsh punishment upon me. I underestimated your duties.”
Tenebrae giggled a bit and said, “Shut up… Even with what you know now you still don’t even know the half of my duties…” She sighed and placed her head down on her arms as they crossed over her knees, back arched.
Ko’atal gently tapped her head to have her look up and then he placed his hand under her chin and made her head above his. “A goddess should hold her head higher than those she rules.”
“Stop it with the goddess stuff,” Tenebrae forced her head back down and said, “I am done holding my head high, I like to be on equal grounds. That is why Regir let me be so.”
“Equal to the Emperor is still above the people,” He said.
“Unless the Emperor holds his people higher than himself,” She rebuttled, peeking up at him. She stood back up and the dizziness set back in, making her lean against a house.
“Allow me to help you,” Ko’atal stood and put her arm over him.
She walked with him and then once she felt it was safe and they made it out of the main city, she said, “Thanks.”
“I need no gratitude from one who is above me,” He responded.
“Shut up…” Tenebrae ended up giggling again.
“Do I please you?” He decided to ask.
Tenebrae hid her blush with her mask, understanding that to him it is a different meaning than to what she was accustomed to. “You do,” She answered, “Very much so.”
He showed a slight smile and helped her along to where she wanted to go. She could have just as easily have teleported there but he wanted to help, so she let him. They traveled until he was tired in the night and she had them stop. She sat herself down and stared out and up into the sky. Ko’atal sat next to her and said, “You should rest.”
“No,” She said, “You should. I will be fine from here.”
She watched him as he laid down, closing his eyes. She was curious about him, a same curiosity she hadn’t felt in a long time. When she was sure he was asleep, she teleported to one of the old opened mines that no one had been in for a while. She stood up and checked through it and pulled out a beautiful purple stone. She then teleported back to Ko’atal, placing her hand carefully on him and teleported them to her room, him ending up on her bed. She smiled then teleported herself back to the war room to see the others were already back. She placed her stone on the table and Raiden began to help them forge it. In the end, they had a platinum plated amulet with pure silver center and gold veins, several different colored gems around the edge and the gem she got from the mine in the middle. Hers and Deverik’s sorceries were used to enchant it and purify it. Raiden set the words for use of capture and release. Then all the guests left again, Raiden and Tenebrae placing it in a container that would come to her call if it was needed. He then returned to heaven and she went back to her room, feigning sleep until the day. She tried so hard not to laugh when she felt the bed jump then heard a thud on the floor. She instead calmly sat up and leaned over the edge to see Ko’atal on the floor.
“Greetings,” She smirked and offered her hand to him.
He took it and knelt to her. “How did I get into your bed?”
“Teleporation,” Tenebrae spoke with pride, “I could have done that the entire time but you wanted to help so I let you.”
“My apologies, I held you back,” Ko’atal spoke with disappointment.
“No,” Tenebrae spoke to him and had her voice more silken, “I held myself back to help one of my people feel important. My people come first.” She nodded to him then said, “Stand.” He stood up and then she took his hand and said, “I need help with armor or clothing for when I am further along. Why don’t you get items to help forge such?”
Ko’atal nodded and said, “Only the finest.” He took off to go do such.
Tenebrae smiled and then went to Spera’s room. Spera was just sitting on her bed, blanked out on what to do. Tenebrae went to the bed and sat down beside her, placing an arm over her daughter. Spera didn’t even look at her mother or say anything. Tenebrae knew that things were going to be tough for a bit. She gave Spera a kiss on the forehead and then went on her way to see how everything was going around the castle. She went to the throne room and she bowed to Regir. He bowed his head to her and offered her a place by his side. She stepped to him and said, “That was a lively celebration.”
“It was,” Regir smiled to her, evident by his eyes. “Are you doing well?”
“Yes,” She spoke as a lie through her teeth.
“Who was that running from your room earlier?” Regir asked.
Tenebrae decided to be honest, “His name is Ko’atal. He is required to be in my service due to a rude comment.”
“Harsh,” Regir chuckled. “Very suiting.”
Tenebrae smiled for a moment then lost it. “He’s supposed to be making armor so I don’t crush Kabal’s final gift to me.” She placed her hand over her midsection and smiled a bit.
“How many?” Regir asked.
“Five,” Tenebrae took a deep breath and her blush was completely unable to hide.
“You must be extremely fertile to keep having so many,” Regir commented.
Tenebrae nodded and said, “I guess I am just that lucky.” She felt over the teeth chainmail but then decided to go take it off. “I will return.” She headed to her room and began to take her full mask off, sliding off the front and placing it down and taking the back portion off. She took off the rib armor and set it to the side. She started taking off the teeth mail when Ko’atal burst in. He stepped to not witness her but she said, “You’re not the first man to see me topless, I used to run around with nothing there.”
“But,” He started.
“No buts, get in here,” Tenebrae said and looked at the outfit parts he had. She saw silver and gold plates as well as a lot of shimmery gold and blue fabric. She saw it all and said, “And how does this go together?”
“Well, you ta-“
She placed a hand over his mouth and said, “I am asking you to dress me.” She would then take off her boots and the bone armor pants. She also took her bone gauntlets and stood before him. “Well?” She asked, “Are you going to just stand there gawking or are you going to show me how to place it on?” She stood still for him and he first grabbed the chest piece and placed it on her. He let her hold it in place and then he took the top part of the fabric and connected it in the back so that it was slightly loose. He carefully placed the bottoms, trying to not touch her flesh and attached the fabrics meant for there. He then helped her slip on ankle braces and gauntlets then a pair of slippers for her feet. He then slipped on her mask for her, metal and fabric combined. “How does it look?”
The slippers had sand tan soles with gold lining the top and bottom edges, silver taking the background of it with royal blue lines accenting the curvature of her feet. The metals were designed like the fabrics but each flowed with their own shapes. Her ankle guards met the edges of the slippers, flowing up her calf and covering her knee with a rounded front. The bottom metal piece covered her entire bottom portion like panties but did not reach above her hips. From the hips hung fabric in four pieces that hung around her without covering the front. Her top had metal just over the parts of the cleavage that counted, held on by fabric from the top and sides so it can be adjusted as her cleavage grew. The fabric hung down the back like a cape that would just hang below her butt, splitting into multiple tails that were pointed at the end with eye-like shapes. The mask was metal and held the Lin Kuei symbol on it since she wore the symbol on her main armor, it being held on by a metal strap but with light fabric draped around the sides and back, allowing her hair to flow over it. He smiled at the work and said, “Like a goddess.”
“Cut the goddess crap already,” she blushed above the mask. “I am not a goddess nor will I be. I am a guardian and simply that.”
He sighed and said, “Would you like it fixed?”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Just have another set made.”
Ko’atal nodded and said, “I will.” He then took off.
Tenebrae went back into the throne room with what she had on and Regir looked it over. “Well, don’t you look like a trophy,” He tried to compliment her.
“I am having a new set made, this isn’t suiting,” Tenebrae sighed and then said, “Also, I was wanting to borrow Dahk for something.”
“Go ahead,” Regir spoke, Dahk moving from his side and following Tenebrae.
She led him to the war room and locked it. She then went to a seat and motioned for him to sit beside her. He did so and waited for her to speak. She took a deep breath and said, “You know I am holding Quan Chi’s soul still…”
“Yes,” Dahk spoke, looking into it with what he had been taught.
Tenebrae thought of how to phrase this, as what she was going to suggest was not delicate. “His soul has been trying to peer out for some time,” She started, “But now that I have children on the way, I fear his soul may attempt to merge with theirs.” Dahk looked at her very confused. “Let me grab someone,” She spoke direr and gently tapped her mark to call her uncle, who came to her call. He was about to ask but she spoke out, “I am planning to merge souls with Quan Chi to eliminate a threat to my children. I need restraints in case he wins out. I have been trying to not do this but the risk is too great and I will need what help I can get.” She looked to them both and said, “I am counting on just you both.”
“You may lose your guardianship if you fail,” Raiden warned her.
Tenebrae shrugged and said, “Safety is safety, as a guardian I protect all from any threat that may be posed against them.”
Raiden looked right into her eyes and saw the determination. “You will not fail.”
They had her stand and Dahk got chains, holding her down to the war room. Raiden then placed an electrified barrier around her. It was then that they allowed her to proceed. Dahk watched the soul that was trying to head for her children was lashed back up towards her own. Tenebrae gasped and went to her hands and knees in pain as she forced his soul into her own. She shook a bit as she battled it to keep him hidden down into the darkest depths of her own soul. She then shot her head up and said, “Uncle… get Deverik…”
Raiden was stunned that she asked that but he forced him there anyway. Deverik was stunned by being summoned there but then saw the on-goings. Raiden said, “Purify her.”
Deverik looked into her soul and saw the corruption trying to leak out from the merge. He forced his way into the shield and placed his hand on her and started to purify it. Tenebrae screamed at the pain from him doing so, feeling it burn out of her to the point she passed out from the pain. He continued to purify it until there was no corruption left at all to fight her soul. He now had electrical burns on his flesh through the armor and blood running from his nose, mouth, and eyes. He couldn’t move from where he was kneeling and stayed put. Dahk was about to hit his mark to call for Terror but Deverik saw him and said, “Don’t…”
Raiden put the shield down and carefully pulled him out, placing it back up then and waited. Tenebrae didn’t wake up for a while but she seemed to be herself. Her skin seemed paler with some of the markings showing from the merge but she stayed mostly herself. She sat up with her legs beneath her and took deep breaths. She looked up to see them also caring for Deverik, he looked pretty ripped apart from helping her. She felt horrible for even suggesting to bring him here. She then spoke to them, “Is he alright?”
Raiden placed the shield down and said, “He will be…”
Dahk moved over and took the chains off. Tenebrae looked over herself and said, “I guess we won…” She then moved to Deverik and placed her hand on him and said, “I am so sorry, brother…”
Deverik nodded weakly and said, “Take… my masters… free them…”
Tenebrae looked into his soul and saw them, looking to him and asking, “Are you sure?” He nodded weakly. She gently placed her hands on his chest and carefully pulled the two souls from him. She then released them so that they may go to heaven. Deverik coughed out some blood and laid his head back. Tenebrae snapped her fingers and her armor changed from the ones she had on to the bone armor with her mask on. She picked up Deverik and opened a portal to EarthRealm, walking through it with ease. She stepped onto the Shirai Kuei grounds and was greeted by a crowd as she walked through to get him to Dread or Terror. First one she saw was Dread and she kept hold of Deverik, she had a sad look to her eyes. Dread took his father and vanished to get him medical help. Tenebrae looked at the Shirai Kuei who all stared at her. She spoke to them, “Don’t stare at me, go listen and follow your grandmaster.” She then went back through to OutWorld and closed the portal behind her. She went up to the table and smashed her fist through it and cracked the entire thing, causing it to fall apart. She then sat in a chair and placed her elbows on her knees, her hands on her head as she let the tears that had been building just fall. Raiden placed his hand on her back and gently rubbed it. Dahk left the room to give her privacy, co-incidentally letting Ko’atal in. He dropped the new armor and went over to her and placed a hand on her, looking up at her as he was about to speak but she placed her hand on his mouth. “Don’t…”
“But…”
“Don’t…” Tenebrae’s emotions were broken down from this one after another of disasters. She thought it was the end of it so she could let it all out. She really didn’t want to punch him and if he said something she probably would have. She placed her hand back onto her head, covering her eyes.

It had been five months and it was near time for the five to be born, everyone was home and turned out she wasn’t the only one getting down. Loraj was five months in, holding her Sub-Zero close to her when she arrived. Tenebrae was keeping close to her personal servant, still not seeing him as anything more than interesting due to not wanting to move on yet. She was glad to see Deverik alive and well, clearly he’d been helped. Tenebrae was glad to see that even her uncle showed up, everything was going great. Diligite was still free roaming, no signs of corruption had peeked back up again and he was being a sweetheart to just everyone. Rapèl came but he kept to himself, seeming still like his normal self. Spera was finally out of her depression but was planning to continue to focus on her swords than finding someone to love. Regir had tried to plan a party for it but she made sure he would keep it a small deal so all of OutWorld wouldn’t come snooping. They’d even convinced Noob to show up, which made Tenebrae extremely happy to see him.
When the time actually came, she laid herself ready and took the bottom armor off. She had Ko’atal at her side and he said to her, “My punishment is long past.” She nodded at him. “I would like some compensation.”
“What is it?” Tenebrae asked him.
“I want permission to court you,” He said to her. “You cannot live in the past much longer.”
Tenebrae smirked and nodded, “Yeah, okay.” She had her five children, three boys and two girls. All but the one boy were named different words for hope while the one boy was named for his father. She held two of her children after and felt rather drained until the guardian powers could catch up. She held the one boy and one of the girls, Kabal Jr and Harapan. She was proud that they all had light brown to black hair, all having green eyes that seemed grey. Everyone else left after they got to see the babes, leaving Tenebrae, Ko’atal, and Spera to look after them first. Tenebrae decided to have junior be raised with mostly Spera’s help, and the other four mostly to hers and Ko’atal’s. She was hoping that this grouping would make it difficult for him to court her.
About a month later of them taking care of the children was when he finally decided to ask her. Ko’atal approached her after making arrangements and said, “Would you like to head out into the city for one night?”
Tenebrae had just placed Umid down in his crib and looked over at Ko’atal as she whispered, “I would prefer to stay home and watch the babies. No one else would take last minute like this.”
“I already made arrangements,” Ko’atal spoke as Dahk came in behind him.
Tenebrae sighed and rubbed her forehead. She had been trying to avoid this and now he found a way around it. She looked at Dahk and said, “You know where everything is?”
“I was given instructions as to where everything is and I can call you if there is an emergency so don’t worry, sister,” Dahk smiled, glad to see her attempt to get out.
Tenebrae nodded to him and went to her own room, getting changed out of the clothes she now wore regularly and into her bone armor. She strode out with him and into the city, people were winding down and would bow to her, her just letting it happen since she’d told them no but Regir keeps telling them yes. She went with him to a local training ground where currently children were trying to prove themselves. Tenebrae smirked and giggled as she watched them, Ko’atal watching how she reacted to them doing so. Then Tenebrae got up and walked in among them and they stopped. She took off her mask and knelt down to them. “You are all mighty warriors! Perhaps it is time you take on a greater challenge!” She teased them. The children got rowdy and she picked them up on her arms and swung them around carefully to make them laugh. She let the kids climb on her and then eventually she went down and jokingly said, “I am defeated! You truly are great warriors!” The kids cheered and she sat herself up as she said, “If you want to stay that way, keep training, alright?” The kids nodded and went back to their little private matches. She started walking back over to Ko’atal but a little girl tugged on her. She looked at her and knelt down and the girl hugged her. Tenebrae hugged her back and then let her run back off to her match. She stood and began to walk away, Ko’atal following her through the city.
“Why did you let them defeat you?” Ko’atal asked in confusion.
Tenebrae placed her mask back on and responded, “Fighting each other they would win and lose individually. If they want to fight for OutWorld, then they must learn to not just fight alone but with the aide of others. It takes more than one person to make an army and an army cannot rely on just one person either. Kombat makes it seem so but if the warrior has made friends, then the march forward is a clear one.” She spoke very calmly as they walked through the quieting city. “This is why we have allies in any realm we can, even if they used to be enemies.”
“You are very wise,” Ko’atal remarked to her.
“Nah,” Tenebrae responded, “Just experienced.”
They ended up going to the edge and looking up at the sky over the area outside. She had tears in her eyes when she was thinking, wanting Kabal back but knowing that this couldn’t have been prevented. While in thought, she didn’t notice Ko’atal’s arm around her. When it sunk in, she didn’t move at first but then got up and started to walk back. He followed her and realized he might have tried too early.
A month later, he would try again. Similar set up but earlier in the day so they could enjoy eating outside of the palace. She decided to pay for everyone who had decided to come in while they were there, even for the poor who wanted something. This again confused Ko’atal that such a fierce warrior would be so kind and generous to her people. She was a goddess among them and yet tried to treat them as she would like to be treated. He admired this despite the confusion. She did decide to talk with him as they ate though. “I dislike the people suffering…”
Ko’atal thought on that and responded, “Everyone had a means to make money to not suffer, correct?”
“With that statement you have lost sight of three groupings,” Tenebrae spoke as she poked some meat with her finger. “The young, the elderly, and the disabled. The young must depend on those older than them to provide for them, this is inescapable as they have no valid sets of skills yet which they develop though play and learning. The elderly also depend on those younger than them typically because they have worn their bodies down in doing what they did the best. As for the disabled, where they do have skill sets, sometimes those skill sets are diminished due to becoming disabled because of their skill, this makes them either homeless or needing to rely on others as well. Some develop skills because they are born disabled, allowing them room to grow. Those who are disabled because of their skills are left with nothing and need to rely on others until they can form a new skill set… Perhaps I will talk to Zerek on this.”
“You shouldn’t think about work,” Ko’atal tried to place his hand on hers, “Now is a time to relax.”
She looked up into his eyes and smiled a bit, she didn’t move her hand this time as she accepted this comfort. She looked back down and said, “I can hardly do that.” She gently tried to take her hand back but he squeezed it a bit, her letting him keep it. She blushed and said, “I am curious… What are you?”
“Osh-Tekk,” He responded, keeping his eyes focused on her. “Are you an OutWorlder?”
“Half,” Tenebrae smiled and continued, “My, um… I don’t know how to explain this… You know Shang Tsung?”
“Yes,” Ko’atal responded. “I have seen many of his deeds.”
“He was my mother,” She blushed and finally pulled some of her meat apart. She saw the stunned look in his face and giggled a little bit. “He could morph his form so he was a woman at the time.”
“Of course,” He responded still not quite at ease with such a thought.
“I know, it’s a really odd concept but it is true,” She spoke and just pushed around the piece she pulled off, “I am half human. Sorcery from both ends to use souls yet I try so hard to not use it.”
Ko’atal watched as she finally took her mask off and ate the piece she was playing with. He smiled a little as he spoke, “Sorcery is a gift. Not many are born with the capability. You should treasure it.”
“And what about those who abuse their sorcery?” Tenebrae asked after swallowing.
“You’re trying to perform your duty again,” He pointed out.
She blushed and looked down. “It is hard to turn it off. I have been trying to focus on my duties since I lost Kabal.” She then noticed he was still holding her hand and she said, “Why don’t we go back? Talk in private.”
He wasn’t about to argue with that, taking their food with them in satchels. She was rather happy with it and on the way gave some of her left over money to people in the streets. She led him back to her room where they set their satchels to the side and she invited him to sit with her on her bed. They talked about their lives and what made them who they were. When time came they were tired, she kept him in her bed, holding onto him in the night so she wouldn’t need to be alone.
When she woke up, she saw Regir standing in the doorway. She stood up and bowed to him. “How long have you been there?”
“Did you sleep with him?” Regir asked.
Tenebrae looked up and shook her head, “We only spoke to one another then innocently went to bed.”
Regir nodded and said, “We’re taking him prisoner.”
“Why?” Tenebrae stood firm and her eyes narrowed on her brother.
Regir calmly spoke, “You are the guardian and by the laws I have been setting down, you are breaking them. Since I may not hold you accountable, I will be taking in him instead.”
Tenebrae shook his head and said, “Over my dead body. If I did something so wrong that offends you so greatly then you will not punish someone in my place.” They both glared at one another and she added, “I do not wish to tear this great realm again.”
“I will punish you with exile for two years. When you return, you will not be allowed within this half of the realm. Is this clear?” Regir spoke.
“You would remove the protector of this realm from the realm?!” Tenebrae snarled at him, “That is an invitation for invasion!”
“You dare go against your emperor?!” Regir scolded her.
“You placed me equal to you… Now you act as me below you,” Tenebrae peeked behind her to see Kotal awakening. “I am grabbing those who want protected and defecting to the other side of the realm. If you are invaded, too bad. I won’t help you. You’ve lost that right.” She turned and grasped Ko’atal’s hand though felt a sharp pain in her back. She stood up and felt it move but she wouldn’t let it phase her. She kept Ko’atal at an angle so if anything else was done to her, he wouldn’t get hurt. She went outside before everyone and said, “YOUR EMPEROR HAS DECIDED TO SHUN MY PROTECTION OF THE PEOPLE. IF YOU STILL WANT YOUR GUARDIAN, FOLLOW ME TO A NEW SETTLEMENT.” She yanked Ko’atal in front of her as she got stabbed once more in the back. She took a deep breath and said, “I WILL SPEAK TO THE ELDER GODS ON THIS MATTER. IF YOU CHOOSE YOUR EMPEROR, STAY HERE. IF YOU CHOOSE PROTECTION FROM HIS EVILS AND THE OTHER REALMS, FOLLOW ME.” She began walking and kept Ko’atal in front of her.
Regir watched as nearly everyone began to defect and follow her. Dahk even left him, carrying all five of Tenebrae’s children and running a bit to catch up to her. Vendict and Zerek walked with her as well as Weren and Despara. Even Reiko followed and of course Yemara. Regir looked at them and said, “You will NOT take my people!”
“They aren’t your people anymore,” Tenebrae spoke back to him, “They have chosen to live outside of tyranny. You have lost your way, brother.” With that, she walked everyone day and night to the other side of the realm. There, they all began to rebuild. They raised a stable society, all building homes that suited to them. Tenebrae made a simple home that was large enough to hold her family and Ko’atal and could oversee her people. They then built up a wall a good distance away from their city and around the entire thing with gates made of stone and sealed with sorcery to protect them from enemies. Once the city was completed, Tenebrae slipped into a depression of not being able to protect the entire realm. After a month of that, she decided there was something she could do. She gathered all the people who wanted to learn to defend themselves and taught them. Eventually, all of them could defend themselves in one form or another.
Everyone was doing what they wanted to do and their currency made them prosperous. They overran the main city in exports due to not having import or export taxes. They even learned some sorceries to allow all food types to be grown and harvested at all times. They even found ways to ferment wine faster, getting permission from Der to borrow some of the water from the pool of aging in a magic-safe container, promising to never waste it. She placed it in a special area of the refinery and warned everyone to not touch the water. They were now able to make hundreds to thousands of year old wines in just the matter of moments. They gained a lot of financial stability in this way and everyone supported each other equally with what they held as their jobs.

On EarthRealm, Loraj had her three children which she named after Bi-Han and Kuai Liang with a little girl she named Bīnghuā. She was proud of them all, showing their first signs all as ice. She tried to get them all to train right off the bat but as one-year-olds would have it, they were more interested in playing. She had to keep pulling the three apart to keep them from freezing each other with the help of her darling Sub-Zero, whose real name was Róngyù. She woke up one morning to her hair being frozen on her face in the shape of a mustache. She growled and tried to pull it off, going and sitting by a fire to get it unfrozen. Róngyù had made their breakfast and knew what they had done before she had even come out. She sighed and said, “Why did they have to learn ice before they could even walk?”
“It is how powers work,” Róngyù smirked and placed out plates for them all. Loraj stepped over and pulled her unfrozen hair behind her ears. As she sat down, Bi-Han iced her chair. She sat and hopped right back up and saw the three little ones go to their seat.
“Hold on a moment,” Loraj said to them, “Which one of you iced my chair?” All three of them pointed at each other. She got a sly smile and said, “If you rat out who did it, Mommy will make cookies for you.” They all pointed at Bi-Han except for him who just gave his mother a sad look. Loraj smirked and said, “Alright, guess who spends extra time after training to do chores.”
“Bi!” Kuai Liang and Bīnghuā responded.
Róngyù placed his hand on Bi-Han and said, “Don’t worry, I will save a cookie for you. If you be honest then you would not need to do chores and would get cookies with everyone else instead of just one.”
The three finished breakfast and headed out to training. Loraj finished hers and said, “Honestly, we need to ice proof our house…”
“Give them time,” Róngyù said to her as he placed his arms over her shoulders. He kissed her on the neck and said, “They will become great ninjas.”
Loraj smiled and turned around and kissed him deeply. They then headed out to training together after they placed their armor on. Loraj had greatly improved now that she focused herself on what she had been taught. She still went to training to continue to improve her form. When lunch came, they ate and then went back to training. Once it was done, Loraj stayed behind with her little Bi-Han and they cleaned some of the accidental blood from some of the fresh people. This was when someone she was hoping to not see for a while decided to catch up with her.
“Long time no see, sister,” Rapèl decided to show his face again, his stature much more physically built and shadows seeming drawn to him.
With his presence, Dread and Terror showed up. Loraj looked at them and said, “I will handle him. Please do not bother yourselves with this.” She then knelt down to Bi-Han and said, “Run home to your father.” She then stood up and stanced up. They stayed but they weren’t going to interfere.
“Cute kid,” Rapèl said, “Take it he’s yours?”
“None of your business,” Loraj snapped at him.
“Still such a brat,” Rapèl summoned the war hammer and charged at her, bringing the hammer down from overhead. Loraj melded into sparks as the hammer went through her and she reformed behind the hammer, grasping the hammer and sending a shock up it. Rapèl let go of it but not in time, his hand getting burnt and the shock following over and down through him. Loraj then released the hammer and kicked the hammer into the ground, lodging it there as she took a step over to him and lifted her leg to kick to the side of his head. Rapèl lifted his arm and swung the other arm at her torso. She brought her arms to a better place to block, electrifying them. The impact sent her flying backwards but she rolled with it and got up despite her arm fracturing a bit.
She got back up but didn’t rush him and waited for him to strike first. He started rushing her but caught sight that her son hadn’t left yet and made a sharp turn to go after him. He pulled back a punch as she quickly teleported over and held her son out of the way of where he would be hit and took the punch against her spine. She wouldn’t let her body give out despite the pain she was feeling. She whispered, “I told you… to go to your father…” She let him go and then charged her body with electricity and her naturally glowing eyes seemed to be brighter. She spun around and threw off three punches as fast as she could with both of her arms aimed for Rapèl’s head, torso, and stomach. He was too slow to block the hits and they made him fall over from the electric current passing through them. She then pointed at him and said, “Leave and never come back…”
“I will be back sister…” Rapèl spoke from the ground through deep breaths, “And next time, I will be better prepared…”
She shot off a bolt but missed as he used his mark to teleport out of the realm. She then calmed down and went to the ground in severe pain. Terror came over to help his student despite his deteriorating body but she said, “Please don’t master… If you heal me… I will never learn to deal with the pain…”
Terror would instead come over as she was attempting to get up and embrace her. “There are some things in this world that you cannot do without a helping hand.” With that, he healed her back and helped her up.
Loraj looked back at him and smiled only a little. She didn’t like that he healed her, but she understood why. She whispered, “Thank you… Yet again you save me… My cousin…” She turned and held him back as she said, “If you would like, I am making cookies for my little ones. Feel free to stop by and your brother too.” She made sure to squeeze a little before pulling away to go check on her little boy. She rushed to her hut and saw he was alright, holding onto his father. She sighed and went to go make cookies for them, as promised. Róngyù eyed her worriedly and followed her into the kitchen holding Bi-Han.
“He told me you got into a fight,” Róngyù held the one-year-old against himself.
Loraj looked up and smiled a bit, “Yeah, my brother decided to show up. The bad one.”
Bi-Han pointed at the broken armor and Róngyù looked at that. “Did you get hurt?”
“My cousin took care of the bruise, I am fine,” Loraj insisted. She melded cookie dough in her hands and peeked over at them. “Think I should put little chocolates in it? Even though we never finished chores he was a brave little boy even if he didn’t listen.”
Róngyù didn’t like that wording but saw the boy in his arms smiling and had trouble holding the bouncing. The other two had come into the kitchen and were now also excited. He sighed and said, “Why not?”
Loraj giggled a bit to herself and took out some chocolate and cut it up and placed it into the cookie dough, melding it in. She then looked at her husband and said, “Shouldn’t you let him finish his food? He still has a half plate.”
Róngyù nodded and started to walk out into the dining room and placed little Bi-Han down. When all the cookies were made and handed out, Loraj stayed out in the dining room alone. She didn’t eat dinner and knew that everyone else was asleep. She rose up and went outside and decided to train some more. She went through forms and incorporated her lightening to make the forms more deadly. She wanted to prove to herself that next time she could protect her little ones without getting hurt.

Diligite decided to go to the Nether to ask about his powers, he strode through the fires knowing that at worst he’ll get a good scrub when he went back to OrderRealm, but he needed answers. He saw his brother on his return and him laying to rest on the ground. Diligite just ignored this and walked past him as he was to seek out other help. He could feel himself being followed and turned to see it was Noob, he offered him a smile and said, “Please do not feel uneasy, I just wish to seek answers.”
“That is what makes me uneasy,” Noob responded to him. “I will remain near.”
Diligite sighed and continued on his way, both comfortable and irritated that Noob would follow him. He would find what he was looking for, his great grandfather. He stepped forward and stared right at him as he focused on what he wanted to say. Instead his eyes and soul would flash and he would force to show him instead. The ground cracked behind his target and the hands rose and grasped him, Diligite then asking, “I want answers…” Shinnok was a bit preoccupied trying to get out of the hands, Shao Khan coming from the side to free him with a punch. Diligite was able to step to the side and place a foot out, tripping him into a portal that dropped him off from a high place and back into a portal. He just let him keep going around while he glared at his target. “Why am I cursed with your abilities?!” Diligite demanded answers.
“How should I know unless they were passed down through your mother?!” His response was.
“None of my siblings received this,” Diligite spoke to him angrily, “So why me?!”
“I don’t know!” Shinnok responded.
Diligite made the hands crush in a bit then Noob interrupted him by jerking him back. The hands let go and the portals disappeared leaving both targets on the ground. Diligite was still standing but he knew why he was stopped, turning to him and saying, “I am sorry, master Noob.”
“Do not let the power control you,” He warned him.
Diligite nodded and took a deep breath to center himself and closed his eyes. “Perhaps I should focus on other things and never fight again,” He spoke to him with a voice that was regretful.
“You can’t escape such a gift,” Shinnok butted in as he stood up. “You should instead learn to use it properly.”
“Not from you,” Diligite glared at his relative with distaste. “I do not care if you are the only one that knows how to harvest and use these powers, I will not learn to use them to corrupt.”
“It is already too late for that,” Shinnok was smirking at him.
Diligite clenched a fist and was a bit frightened to think of what he meant. He looked to his master and then walked away, trying to find somewhere he could think on it. Sure enough, Noob followed him to attempt to help. Diligite sat himself down once everyone but Noob was out of sight and began to meditate. He was spooked out of it once more by what was in him trying to speak to him. He literally jumped out of his seated position and ended up on the ground, hyperventilating and sweating. With that, Noob disappeared. Diligite looked up to where he was and felt better being alone. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Noob returned then with Terror in hand, showing him Diligite. Diligite got himself up off the ground and bowed respectfully to his cousin, wiping some of the sweat off his face quickly. They would both bow back and Terror would ask Diligite, “What has been happening?”
Diligite looked at Noob who gave him a nod to reassure him. Diligite looked back to Terror and said, “I really don’t know. Power that I don’t want or let alone need… Something interrupting my meditations and seems to be trying to talk to me… I don’t understand it.”
“Wait here,” Terror spoke to Diligite then looked to Noob and they left to go find Shinnok. Diligite nodded and sat himself down, trying to meditate once more. He’d of found Shinnok with Shao Kahn, both of them seeming to be regaining their grounds after what had happened. They looked at him and seemed to not be too happy to see him. He went right up to Shinnok and say, “Speak or you will be beat an inch from your immortal life.”
“If you mean whatever is going on with… what was his name? Diligite? Then I have not a clue of what is happening nor would I look into it,” He responded firmly.
Terror would hold up two fingers, one being encrusted in black ice and the other in the white fire. “You either speak or I will see what an immortal body does when it’s burning to death. I am the one who killed Onaga,” He was serious.
Shinnok wouldn’t recoil but this would be a problem, him saying, “The powers are genetic, or perhaps even a preparation. I saw his soul become corrupt for a split second before he decided to crush me. His actions may not be his own. Yet when Noob simply touched him, he was able to pull back and halt these actions. Beyond that I do not know.”
Terror would look to him and say, “Don’t get comfortable, I will be returning soon enough.” He would then find a place to settle away from them and attempt to reach the Elder Gods. He was accepted to be spoken to, them ripping him to heaven to speak. They encircled him and looked upon him and waited for an explanation. Terror would look at them and say, “The boy is effected by a power that even Shinnok doesn’t understand. The boy also has inherited Shinnok’s power, the power of one of you. This did not seem possible.”
One of them spoke up to him, “It shouldn’t be possible.”
Raiden spoke up to that one, “There is a female with my power but it is slightly reduced. But what has been witnessed in in fact impossible, I have seen the powers used by this boy and I am supposing by your urgency that what this power may hold is a more distressing matter.”
Another spoke up, “If it is so distressing then we should act on it. Why don’t we just eliminate the boy?”
Terror’s fist would clench and the entire area around them would burst into white flames. “I just taught one Elder God a lesson, do I need to teach the rest of you?”
Yet another spoke up, “Why protect him if he may be a threat to everything?”
“Why does darkness always need to be a bad thing?” Terror responded.
Argus finally spoke up and said, “Hashi Li, make sure everyone you know can handle this watches him. If there is any deviation from his natural behavior, you must take action. There is a precaution in place already in OutWorld.”
They cast him back to where he was pulled from. Terror would go back to Diligite, who when he saw Terror again would bow once more. Terror would do the same and say, “You will either stay near me or Noob for the time being.”
“No offense intended but why?” Diligite asked, a hint of fear in his tone.
“You have the abilities of an Elder God and that is impossible, you could explode for all we know,” Terror laid it out, “Your body shouldn’t be able to contain this power but whatever is holding you together could be leading you to do things that you don’t even know that you are doing.”
Diligite sat himself down on the ground and his face was like stone. “So… It is some sick curse? Something is playing with me?”
Terror spoke plain, “It is either that or you are a creature that has gone above all of us. You either stay an ally, or become a threat that the Elder Gods will not let live.”
“I understand,” Diligite looked up at him. “I hope I will be an ally.”
“You need formal training to find discipline,” Terror spoke. “Why don’t you come back to EarthRealm and further your training in the Shirai Kuei?”
Diligite stood and nodded to his cousin, “I will take this chance to further my discipline. It seems meditation is not enough anymore.” Terror would touch Diligite and touch his mark, taking him to his brother and interrupting his time with Sepht. They paused enough for Dread to place a blanket on and Diligite now wanted to walk out but stayed put and said to Terror, “May I remove my eyes? I feel they’ve been corrupted…”
“Piss off, piss ant,” Dread said to him.
Terror pointed to his brother and said, “Say hello to the grandmaster of the Shirai Kuei.”
Diligite looked at him and then said, “Hello, goodbye.” He tried to turn around and leave.
Terror would walk with him and but turn before going out the door, “Next time block your seal so I pick someone else.” He’d look at Sepht and just shake his head and then follow Diligite. Diligite found a spot and sat down, he focused himself and decided to try to meditate. Terror would go to his chest and open it up. It contained items from his travels. He would take out a black crystal from NetherRealm and would come back out with it. When he returned, Diligite would be forcing himself to keep his eyes shut. Terror would gently tap him on the shoulder, making him jump. He would hand it to him and say, “Try meditating with this.”
“Thank you,” Diligite held onto it and gripped it tight in his hand, resuming meditation. He was calmer than before and he smiled a tad before letting himself fall into a full meditation. Thanks to a little stone, he was at peace and it showed. He was once again able to meditate, delving deep into his own mind. He pulled himself out just from hesitation and looked to see Terror was still there and that gave him some comfort. He closed his eyes once more and delved back into a deep meditation. Terror stayed near him, realizing that he was a comfort for his meditation.

Tenebrae’s anarchist society ran well for years (50th year mark) and proved itself as a rich and prosperous society. Everyone showed respect to one another and on multiple occasions they defended attacks from the kingdom they were once a part of. Tenebrae let her ten year olds run around as they pleased, being taught good morals and to help others. Spera was happily one hundred years old and teaching others her father’s trade and had come to accept her stepfather. Der visited from ChaosRealm a few times, feeling highly comfortable in Tenebrae’s ‘pocket of paradise’ as he liked to call it.
One of her voluntary spies came back from the kingdom and went to Tenebrae’s home, knocking on the door. Tenebrae answered and smiled to the spy and said, “Hello. Please come in, we were just settling down to some family dinner. You are more than welcome to join us.”
“I have news on the Emperor and his kingdom,” The young OutWorlder blurted out.
Tenebrae hesitated and said, “What kind of news?”
“Just news,” He looked at her confused eyes. “First, he beheaded several hundreds of people because they were going to leave to come here. Thousands maybe. Second, he’s dying. Third, he’s going to make a last ditch effort and send a spy into our midst to launch one final attack against us.”
Tenebrae lost her smile but she quickly gained it back as she said, “It will be fine. Now please, would you like to dine with us?”
The young man nodded and went into her home. She went back inside and shut her door behind her. Everyone who was currently friendly family and in OutWorld was there and just talking and having a good time. She smiled at this and would tell them later. It wasn’t very urgent. She then went back to the table and decided to just stare at her food since she felt this outsider move over it. She then said, “You know, I don’t recall you looking like that.” Everyone at the table stopped and stared at her, the spy started to sweat. “Yes, I know everyone in this society. This is what this kind of life is. Now, tell me what Regir did with my spy and I might let you live.”
“Uh…” The boy tried to get up and run but Zerek and Vendict nabbed him. “He imprisoned him…”
Tenebrae smirked and strode forward as she placed her hand on the boy’s chin and said, “Want to know what gave you away?” The boy was shaking so she told him anyways. “No one treats me as a leader here. Everyone is equal. Our spy would have spread the news from person to person. If anything I would have been the last to know.” The boy had tears going down his face out of pure fear. “Now, you have two choices… You go back to him and get killed later, or you stay with us and get protection from him until the end of his days.”
The boy stared at her and said, “You’re lying!”
“I have not killed a single person who has come to seek sanctuary from me,” Tenebrae admitted. “I am giving you this chance to redeem yourself. I may wear bones and I may be terrifying but I am not a monster.”
The boy whimpered and said, “I want proof.”
Tenebrae nodded and said, “Reasonable.”
Ko’atal rose from the table and looked right at his new wife as he said, “I don’t think you should indulge such a venture.”
“I will be fine, honey,” Tenebrae reassured him, walking out and down into the society and looked around. Everyone greeted her and she greeted them back. She went to the few people who had come to her after the society was formed and asked them to vouch for her. They followed her back to her home with their families and Tenebrae showed them to him. “Here’s your proof.”
The boy heard each of their stories and looked really disappointed in himself. He looked at Tenebrae and said, “All I said was true… and some have left your society and were killed upon returning to the kingdom. I will join…”
Tenebrae smiled gently as he was let go and the families took him to help him get settled in and to build a home. Tenebrae then sat down and looked at her food, just poking at it. They all knew something was wrong and wouldn’t touch theirs anymore either. She eventually just got up and went to the main bedroom. She just sat on the bed and looked at the ground, tears dripping from her face. Ko’atal followed her in and placed his arm around her, holding her close. He didn’t speak and just held her, eventually she would speak, “Regir’s dying…”
Ko’atal understood that it was good for their society but she still loved him as a brother. “Perhaps it is better this way,” He tried to help her with the bright side. “He was becoming corrupt.”
“I should have stayed and helped him,” Tenebrae felt like shit, and she pressed her cheek against his chest. “He’s family… I could have saved him… and thousands of others…”
“But you have saved millions,” Ko’atal pointed out. She looked up at him. “Without you, these people would have been lost. They all would have been subject to a corrupt ruler on a downward spiral.”
Tenebrae pulled from him and said, “Keep the kids safe…” She began to walk to the door of the room.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
She looked back at him and said, “To reason with a mad man.” She then touched her mark and appeared before her bother, who was heavily guarded. She was staring right at him on the throne and saw what was becoming of him. She sighed as the guards grabbed her arms, her just yanking her arms away from them and saying, “I am just here to talk.” She approached her brother and even bowed with respect and stood back up. “What the hell has happened to you?”
Regir looked up upon her form, his breath heavy and ragged. His voice seemed to crack out weakly, “Sister… Have you come crawling back to me?”
Tenebrae moved up to him, the guards getting jumpy. She turned and glared at them, the guards simply walking away. Once they were alone, she gently removed Regir’s head wraps, showing her how pale he was. She placed her hand on his cheek and said, “Why have you let yourself fall?”
Regir smiled at her and simply said, “Power does strange things…” He pushed himself to stand, “You are a guest here right now… Until you prove to me once again you are a foe… Would you like something to eat or drink?”
Tenebrae shook her head no and said, “I would prefer not. I just want you to come out of this before it kills you.” She held onto him gently in an embrace. “I am not here as a person or as a guardian, I am here as your sister and I need you to snap out of this,” She begged him.
Regir took in a deep breath and asked, “How much to you trust me, sister?”
Tenebrae hesitated but answered, “As an emperor, not at all… As a bother, you still have some trust or I wouldn’t have come…”
“Then I want you to do something for me,” Regir reached behind himself and grasped a cup, it was empty but one of the servants ran out and grabbed this cup and gave him a new one filled with what seemed to be wine. He handed it to Tenebrae who was reluctant to take it. He then shoved it up against her face and tried to get her to drink it that way. She felt some enter her mouth but she shoved it away. Regir sighed and slammed it onto the arm of the throne. He then snapped his fingers and his servants brought out the chest. “What is in there and why did you leave it behind?”
Tenebrae looked at the chest and then back at him. “It is none of your concern, it is between me and Raiden,” She responded.
Regir laughed at that and said, “So… A chosen god to a chosen elder god… You both are misfits.” He moved to the chest and started trying to undo it. “I take it from its size that there is a weapon in here?”
“Do I look like the weapon carrying type?” Tenebrae sounded offended.
Regir chuckled, “Yes.” He continued his attempt to undo it, figuring out the barrier on the lock and releasing it. “Ah, it is an enchanted item… I feel it now,” Regir spoke as he then worked the physical locks.
Tenebrae was getting nervous and said, “I would suggest you not do that.” She didn’t move to stop him, hoping he would do so on his own.
Instead, he opened the chest and took out the amulet made in case Diligite was ever out of control. He picked it up and examined it as he said, “So… I wonder what this is for…” He ran his hand over it and said, “I think you made this? Just what for I don’t know… Unless it is like the amulet of our grandfather.” He turned it in his hand and gripped it so it was facing her. “Perhaps I should test it on you.”
Tenebrae took a deep breath and swallowed what fear she had and decided to bluff, “Go right on ahead. It’s just a decoration.”
Regir wasn’t going to fall for such a bluff and carefully figured out how to activate it. It tried to pull her in but she stood her ground as hard as she could. Regir smirked and started laughing. Tenebrae had a tear roll down her cheek as she summoned her axe to her hand and ducked low, swinging it at his legs. Regir was able to step back so only his right leg got cut off. He dropped it as he recoiled in pain and fell over. Tenebrae grabbed it and tucked it under her armor then moved back and used her mark to teleport out of there and back home. She sighed and threw her axe down on the floor and didn’t bother to take the amulet back out. She sat on the bed and placed a hand on her head. She couldn’t believe she had just done that.
As she laid herself into bed and curled up, Ko’atal came in and went to her side immediately. He then looked on the ground and saw blood on her axe, asking, “The meeting did not go well?”
“He tried to kill me twice and I cut his leg off,” Tenebrae responded, feeling really down. She also felt a bit ill, figuring it was just from guilt.
Ko’atal held her close and said, “You are a guardian, no one can kill you.”
“Not true,” Tenebrae admitted. She looked at the door to see her siblings there, them coming over and surrounding her and placing their hands on her. Tenebrae looked across them and said, “Why did you all come in here?”
“Deirrow erew ew,” Der responded and gently rubbed her hand.
Dahk nodded and said, “You were being reclusive and we figured you could use some support.” He placed his hand on her face, wiping her tears away.
“There is no way we will let Regir harm you physically or otherwise,” Vendict chimed in. He was standing with his arms crossed since he didn’t really want to touch her.
Zerek nodded and said, “You showed us a way of living without fighting each other for control. You have saved OutWorld and we can never repay it.” He placed his hand on her shoulder.
Weren nodded and said, “We will help you in any way we can.”
Despara nodded and said, “For peace of us all, we will help.”
Tenebrae smiled at them and spoke as she sat up, “Then we’re going to war for the sake of peace.” She moved through them and picked up her axe. “Knock out the innocent. The only one who needs to die is Regir.”
Der looked at her and said, “Pleh ton yam I tub yrros ma I. Nwo ruoy od tsum meht dna uoy gnihtemos si siht.”
Tenebrae nodded and patted his shoulder, “I understand. Return to ChaosRealm and we will let you know how it pans out.” She then turned and saw the others had gone to get ready and then Der disappeared. She looked to Ko’atal and said, “You have an option. If you fight with us, I will have Spera look after the children. If you stay, I am taking Spera.”
“I want to come with you,” Ko’atal spoke strongly. “I have abilities of my own and can do as you ask.”
Tenebrae sighed and said, “You may come with us. Just please don’t get yourself killed… Stay either in the middle or the back and the only target you may kill is-“
“Regir,” Ko’atal nodded as he spoke.
“I hope to capture him instead,” Tenebrae rubbed her temples, and gave a quiet sigh. “This all may be pointless.”
He gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “Do not think like that. You will capture him and no one will be harmed.”
Tenebrae smiled and gently kissed him on the lips. As she drew back, the others arrived. She looked at them all, ready to help her take down their brother together. She smiled to them and then she waited for Ko’atal to get his weapon. They all prepared to teleport there, Tenebrae placing her hand on Ko’atal. They all appeared right outside of the palace. The group went to go silently knock people and guards out. Tenebrae teleported alone back to face Regir. She found him sitting in his throne and she spoke to him, “You have this one chance to surrender and come as a prisoner or I will make you submit by force.”
Regir chuckled at her and forced himself to stand. “Guardian or not, you can’t do shit… Some of the liquid in that cup was missing and I am guessing it got into your mouth,” He sounded cocky and confident despite blood on his head wraps, “You will die regardless if you capture or kill me… Then your faction will crumble.”
“We are not a faction,” Tenebrae stated, “We are a leaderless society that has been kicking your ass financially and in numbers of people both living there and visiting. All of them are trained to fight. We have the upper hand. Please give in.”
Regir shook his head and said, “Just try to take me.” Tenebrae stood still and waited for him to initiate. Regir laughed at her and said, “All that talk and now you are too scared to fight?!” He dispersed into sand and the sand seemed to multiply and swirl around the room. Tenebrae waited patiently and watched his soul. She saw a hint that it was moving and blocked in that direction, blocking a fist that receded back into the storm after the attack. Tenebrae focused on him again but felt that she was starting to falter. She had to make a move or she would fall as he predicted. She took a deep breath and her body glowed a slight green. She made the green swirl around herself and then burst out to halt the storm. Regir was bashed against a wall and tried to restart it all over again.
“No you don’t,” Tenebrae held her hand out and tethered his soul. “Come with me peacefully.”
“Never!” He tried to disperse again but Tenebrae tugged on his soul. He cried out and tried again so she pulled again.
“Please just submit!” She begged of him.
“FUCK YOU WHORE!” He yelled at her and tried once more to pull away.
“Forgive me…” She sighed and pulled at him hard, squeezing the soul a bit and making him curl over in pain. She then summoned her axe and used it to cut behind the knee on his left leg, and the elbows swiftly just to disable him then dropped her axe and grabbed his hair. She then was about to pull out the amulet but she felt a sharp pain in her neck. His personal bodyguards were there and they had darted her neck. She grabbed it and ripped it out and saw the liquid dripping out of it. She coughed out some blood and whispered, “Shit…”
She fell to her knees and coughed a bit, blood beginning to leak from her eyes. The body guards moved up to her and grasped her, dragging her to the prison. They placed her up in the same place she had saved Reiko from and hooked her up with blood and saline, letting her pass out. When she woke, Regir was in front of her with five vials and a tesla coil attached to crudely made shock paddles. There were also an entire try of empty and full needles. She looked beside herself to see all of the siblings that had helped her storm the kingdom and her love were all captured and tethered up. She looked back at Regir and noted that he was in a wheelchair of sorts, his still there leg and arms all had metal braces on them to move them. His missing leg had yet to be replaced. He looked at her and said, “How the mighty fall. Comfortable?”
“Let them go…” Tenebrae demanded and pulled against her tethers, feeling little needles poke her and she began feeling horrible again. “Fuck…”
“Oh I will let them go,” Regir smirked to her, “To their graves.” He waved his hand across at them. “You are all traitors of OutWorld. Why should I let you live? Any of you?” He glanced across them. “Unless you have secrets to tell.”
“We will tell you nothing!” Vendict yelled out at him. “You are not an emperor! You are scum!”
“Yeah go fuck yourself!” Zerek added.
The grouping went into an uproar until Regir snapped, “SILENCE!”
“WE WILL NEVER LISTEN AND WE WILL NOT FALL!” Vendict yelled at him. Regir rolled the chair over and rose a scalpel to him.
“NO!” Tenebrae yelled, “LET THEM GO FREE AND I WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING!” They looked at her and were upset she would give up the society she had built just to free them. “Please… I will need assurance that they are alive and out… Please… I will tell you anything if you just let them live…”
Regir rolled over to her and stood out of the chair on one leg to hold her chin. He felt her warm tears roll down off her face onto his fingers. He took his hand away and licked the tears from his fingers as he said, “The tears of a guardian crying for her people… how sweet…” He looked across the group and then into her sad eyes. He smirked and said, “They will go free, but you will be my slave and I will do what I will to you when I wish… Including test these poisons.”
Tenebrae valued the freedom they won and now she would need to give it up for them. She spoke firmly with no regret, “As you wish, master.”
Ko’atal had a look of brokenness on his face, the others upset she had given in just to have their lives spared. Vendict shook his head and said, “Don’t break for us, sister…”
Tenebrae looked over to them and said, “I don’t have a choice…” Her voice was dark and her look told them to take this chance. “Once you’re freed… teleport back… warn them all…” She let her head drop.
Regir’s men unlatched them one at a time, only letting out Despara with Ko’atal to teleport him back. The last one they had to free was Vendict and Regir stopped them. He wheeled over to him and held a scalpel to his throat. “No tricks, understood soldier?” Regir made sure he knew he was serious.
Vendict closed his eyes for a moment as he breathed in and as he opened them, he looked to Tenebrae with disappointment and said, “Understood.”
Regir then let his men let him loose, Regir wheeling backwards as Vendict stepped down. He placed his hand over his mark and retreated. Regir then looked to Tenebrae and said, “Now to get you fitted for your special outfit… After I inject these five into you.”
Tenebrae relaxed against her restraints and said, “Do your worst…”
“I intend to,” Regir grabbed one of the empty needles and placed it into the first vial. He drew out until it was full then rolled up to Tenebrae and pressed it into her flesh. He slowly pressed it in, her rocking her head back as she felt it take effect. He pulled the needle out after only a fourth was in and watched as she began coughing out specks of blood. This made him smirk and he waited until the effects wore off, his men taking measurements of her as they did so. When they wore off, the men were about done and took the measurements to go begin to make something for her. Regir took another empty needle and placed it into the second vial, injecting her with it. It had the same effects but seemingly to a lesser extent. Then the third once the symptoms were over, her just looking sick as a dog. The fourth caused her to start convulsing and spewing up blood and throwing up. She gave begging eyes for it to spot but wouldn’t say a thing. He left her there for the night, hoping she’d survive.
During the night, Tenebrae was recovering and tried to wiggle her left arm a bit. She pushed her shoulder to her neck, trying to send out a signal to her older set of children, Terror and Dread, to Deverik or Der, and even tried to see if her uncle could respond. She just kept gently tapping it but as it seemed, the signal was too weak to reach anyone. She kept trying anyways and didn’t sleep at all. Her signal hadn’t improved by the morning and she had dried blood over her entire body. She was taking deep rigid breathes and whispering to herself, “I won’t fail… I must protect my people… I will not break… I will protect my family…”
She stopped her whispering as Regir came back. He now had a leg fitted but was still in a wheel chair. “Ah sister, just one more vial and then you may enter your new outfit,” He had a sick grin on his face, “Aren’t you excited?” Tenebrae wouldn’t respond to him and just stared at the ground. “I asked you a question, slave…”
Tenebrae looked up and uttered out, “ecstatic…”
“Good,” Regir rolled up to her and reached to the side. He grasped an empty needle and stuck it into the fifth vial then injected her with one fourth of the syringe. She felt ill, that was for certain and it showed. She gave him a broken look and he smirked, “Ah, seems this is good enough to let you go on, then into your new outfit.” He undid her one hand and pulled it, taking off her bone armor and placing on a mechanized cuff. He then slid a cuff up onto a shoulder piece as he examined her bare top. He couldn’t help but to feel her a bit, taking his time on putting things onto her. She tried to lift her arm to touch her mark to escape but as her hand got close, she felt a prick in her wrist and she began to feel sick. “Oh yes, did I forget to mention your new outfit has sensors and a remote?” Regir chuckled.
Tenebrae let the tears fall and lowered her arm. He then placed another on her other arms and legs. Then he opened the cuffs and made sure all of them were filled before locking them again. He waited to place her top and bottoms on after he got done looking at her form with the smooth gold cuffs attached. He touched her body once more and she said, “Please don’t…”
Regir chuckled at her and said, “You are my slave now and I can do as I please…” He stood up and his new leg came to life as he stepped. He ran his hands over her form and gripped her close to himself. He looked up into her face and watched her tears fall. He brushed his hand against her face and used the tears to clean off the dried blood. He then smirked and said, “Come now… Be glad you will be getting so much attention from your master.” He then had his men bring sponges and they bathed all the blood off her. Once she was clean, Regir placed on the rest of her outfit on. Most of it was see through, her breasts being held there by just a strap of cloth. Her bottoms were basically covered by a gold string, a see through skirt flowing over it. She was not allowed to wear shoes, making her need to walk on the stones ahead.
He drug her with him through all of his duties and at night, he made another vial and injected her with it after he’d taken her top and bottoms off. He started pressing it into her but noticed that before he even got the one fourth dose in, she was bleeding from her eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and other regions. He stopped the dose and hooked her up to medical equipment and tied her down onto a bed. She convulsed and coughed up blood as she twitched and felt her body wanting to give out. She was left alone for the night and she whispered to herself once more, “I… Will not… Give in… I will… Protect… My people… I will guard… Them all… With my life…”
She passed out sometime during the night but woke up in the morning very weak. Regir was checking on her and smirked. “Oh, good morning,” He spoke nearly cheery, “You are going on a special mission today.” Tenebrae looked at him and he said, “You are going to EarthRealm and ending our alliance. You are going to tell them that they offend the emperor and tell them that they will lose to us next kombat.”
Tenebrae’s face went blank and she said, “Why?”
“Because I told you to,” Regir checked her vitals and then smirked a bit, “Oh, and I know it is cold where they are but you won’t be wearing anything extra. I will give you two free teleports. After that, each teleport attempt will have you poisoned progressively worse. I will also give you an hour to do this task. After the hour is up, then I will begin to poison you progressively worse until you are dead. Is that clear?”
“My life doesn’t matter,” Tenebrae spoke blank to him.
“Oh yes,” Regir chuckled, “and I will kill all of your precious people… Hell, maybe I will just slaughter all of OutWorld. So do it, alright?” He took her life supports off as she was stable and reprogrammed her cuffs and collar just for the time being. Regir smiled and let her go.
Tenebrae raised her hand and tapped her mark, showing up in EarthRealm. She crossed her arms in front of herself and sure enough, first people to greet her were Dread, Terror, Deverik, Loraj, and Diligite. All she could do was stare at them with a broken gaze in her eyes and a blank expression on her face. Terror would freeze her bindings and break them off, then leave without saying a thing. Sepht and Domme joined the group and saw the mess she was in, helping to lead her somewhere to get cleaned up since blood was stained on her skin from the previous injections. Before she was out away from the others, she spoke in whispers again as she felt alone while there, comfortable to speak, “I will protect my realm with my life…”
Loraj decided to tag along with hearing that and gently touched her mother’s back, seeing no response but feeling the muscles tense told her all she needed to know. Her children tried to come over but she shielded them from seeing Tenebrae like this, forcing them back to training. Diligite clenched his fist but knew Terror had everything under control. He wanted to help his mother but knew that her sisters would help her, his thumb running over his black necklace holding the crystal that was keeping him as himself for now. Deverik hated seeing his sister like this so he took off after Terror, ready to fight for whatever had happened to her.
Sepht and Domme were careful in washing Tenebrae, cleaning her where blood was stained to her flesh and listening to her repeat over and over again. Domme gently took Tenebrae by the shoulders and looked into her eyes, “Your realm will be safe… You won’t need to give your life for it. Snap out of it.”
Tenebrae spoke to her upset, “He was going to kill everyone if I didn’t do as he said…” She let tears fall. “The fucker was so good… For so long… Then he lost track of himself… He’ll hurt them…”
“Shh,” Domme pulled Tenebrae’s head down to her level and hugged onto her, “Terror will free you… Your realm will be alright…”
Sepht looked at where some of the blood was and said, “Whatever he did to her, she got really fucked up in places that shouldn’t be fucked up.”
“What do you mean?” Domme looked down at the short sister. Sepht pointed at Tenebrae’s lower region which looked mauled and scarred but healing now that she had been allowed to. She shook her head and said, “That’s not right.” She looked back at Tenebrae’s eyes and said, “We will make sure this never happens again…”
They gave her some black armor that looked about her size so she at least had something to wear. Tenebrae placed on everything and made sure her entire body was covered, not wanting to be seen. She then went out with them and she was made to go wait with Dread, so if she wanted to, she could talk to him. Tenebrae sat there silently, staring at the ground. Dread offered her something to drink, her being hesitant to answer but she gave him a nod. He would go and make her something to drink and say, “I feel a change in the wind, one where an emperor will no longer be needed.”
“One isn’t…” Tenebrae responded, “I have already proven that…”
“All you have found is that there is no one currently present worthy of being an emperor,” Dread responded to that, “I am not worthy of being a guardian but here I sit.”
Tenebrae took a deep breath and said, “I have proven that OutWorlders, Shokan, and others residing in my realm alike can deal with life without needing one in the anarchist society created on the other side of the realm… We have been in peace there and I took action when he showed he could penetrate the society finally. We showed that we were able to create something stable and to depend on and respect each other without a ruler. Everyone doing the jobs they feel like doing and everything was sorted out fine. Everyone knows how to fight, everyone learns from one another, everyone protects themselves and each other, they are not dependent on money as everyone is of a wealth that satisfies them and their needs are met. The society formed has no homeless except those who chose to have no home but they know if they wanted one they would receive aid. The emperor couldn’t touch us and when one snuck in he was picked out and you know why? He assumed I was their leader when I was just another citizen who was willing to help others and fight for what I hold dear…” She then went back to being silent.
Dread would stop her and say, “Terror is ten times stronger than me but even I could stop your entire clan. I could have even before I was a guardian. All you have been doing is irritating Terror. If you continue to bother us, I will destroy your entire clan. We are done dealing with OutWorld’s business.” He made sure she couldn’t speak back and continued, “All the realms will fall soon anyway.”
Tenebrae glared at him and rose from her place as she said, “I will let my sister know you intend to end her, I am going back to join the battle.” She began to walk out. She then went to Diligite and Loraj and said, “I am going back to OutWorld, I want you both to stay here.”
Loraj nodded and took her children home. Diligite shook his head and said, “No. I will come with you.”
Tenebrae sighed and said, “Your home is no longer OutWorld. You do not need to come.”
“Mother,” Diligite spoke and bowed to her, “I am coming to fight by your side.” Tenebrae smiled a bit and they both teleported to go to Terror while he was still in the Nether.

Rapèl was practicing and training with Scorpion, Noob was sitting by watching. Rapèl swung his hammer and Scorpion caught it and ripped it out of his hands. Rapèl then took the time it was being taken and tried to slide under to kick but it was short and Scorpion placed a spear right in front of Rapèl’s face. Rapèl growled and flopped down to the ground before getting up and taking his hammer back to try again. Noob pointed out, “You may want to build sleeker muscles. You would be able to have more speed and carry further.”
“And if I don’t want to lose this muscle?” Rapèl spoke back to Noob.
Scorpion took the distraction and sent his spear out around Rapèl’s leg and yanked to make him trip. Noob was definitely smirking under his mask and said, “That happens.”
Terror claps as he walked up and said, “You boys never learn. You need to treat the kiddies nice, that’s how they learn.”
Rapèl looked over at Terror and got himself up, “Hey cousin.” He was happy to see him.
“We already tried nice,” Scorpion spoke to Terror, Noob made sure to place a hand up to give air quotes.
Terror sighs, “Well, guess what boys. You get to beat on someone else today.” Rapèl would take a deep breath and seem happy. Terror would look across the Nether and say, “Gather our kin from both sides. All those who have held the name Scorpion or Sub-Zero will come with me.” The two nodded and took off.
Rapèl got serious and asked, “What’s going on, cousin?” Terror would explain to him as Deverik caught up. Rapèl understood the gravity of the situation and said, “I want to help.”
“Kid, this battle isn’t for you,” Terror responded.
Rapèl shook his head and said, “I don’t care… My mother got the fuckin shit beat out of her and I want to do something about it!”
Deverik moved forward and placed his hand on Rapèl’s shoulder. “You are still very young. You do not need to give your life needlessly for your mother who gave you your life. All you owe to her is to stay alive for as long as you possibly can,” Deverik explained to him in a hurt voice, “Stay here and train. One day you will most likely have a family of your own and on that day, you will defend them if need be.” He removed his hand and looked to Terror, giving him a nod of being ready.
Rapèl clenched his fist and looked down, “I understand…” He put his hammer over his shoulder and began to walk off.
All of the warriors began to gather and before they could leave the Nether, Tenebrae and Diligite showed up. Tenebrae looked to Terror and said, “Wait.”
Terror sighs, “What the hell now?”
“Your brother’s off the deep end,” She spoke quickly.
Terror shook his head, “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“He said all the realms are going to fall,” She said.
“Okay,” Terror raised a brow, “That should sound common to an OutWorlder.”
Tenebrae grunted and said, “He threatened to kill all of my people.”
“Hell I’d do that if they got in my way,” He spoke in defense.
“He threatened to kill Domme and Sepht,” She blurted out.
Terror sighed, “Why is it always my problem?”
“Do you hate my sister?”
Terror would raise her by her throat and say, “Dare to speak those words again.”
Tenebrae grunted again and managed out, “So you won’t let him harm her? You won’t let him wreck everything?”
“Never,” He spoke up while putting her down.
“Then please don’t fight my battle,” She begged him, “Deal with him and I will deal with my own.”
Terror would look to her and said, “Fail me again and death will be your only escape.”
“I give my life for my realm,” Tenebrae spoke firmly.
Diligite took off his necklace holding the crystal Terror gave him and handed it to him. “I will return but I am going to fight,” He said.
Terror would look to his masters and nod as they all disappeared, Deverik traveled with them. They would appear onto EarthRealm and the banners would flow one way and as they flowed the other, the Shirai Kuei’s symbols were lost to the Lin Kuei. All the members who weren’t outside came out of their homes and when they saw the masters there, they bowed. Loraj bowed and she had her three children bow. They peeked up to their mother and said, “Why is it so much colder?”
“Those are the masters,” Loraj spoke quickly then shushed them for silent respect.
Her children bowed and her husband joined them outside to bow as well to the predecessors which held his code name. The entire area was encased in ice and all of them were standing fierce. Terror appeared shortly after to go ‘talk’ to his brother. Dread had felt the presence and took off running. Terror would chase right after him and the masters would follow right after him. Most of them would be confused but all went inside to not be in the way. Terror and his grouping was able to catch up to Dread easily and would freeze everything but his head. Terror would ask him then, “Why are you being a dumbass?”
Dread would respond, “I am doing it for the good of the clan.”
“That’s bullshit,” Terror said to him, “The good of the clan is not trying to kill everyone and the realms are meant to be separate, not as one.”
“Nothing you say matters because your death is imminent and I am already guardian, if you kill me then you are doing war with the Elder Gods,” Dread spoke, “I banish all those with the bloodline of Kahn except for myself from this realm.” All of them would be forced into OutWorld, Terror, Loraj, her children, her Sub-Zero, Domme, Sepht, and several other OutWorlders also followed. Dread then banished the NetherRealmers as well.

Tenebrae began walking around with Diligite and they first went to those of her following from before. She was more than happy to see them and she hugged each of them, her needing to take her mask off so they could see her face. She smiled and said, “I am going to need you all. OutWorld is in deep shit and the only way to fix it is to get rid of the current Emperor. He is worse than my own father.” She chuckled a bit then sighed, “He would eliminate all of OutWorld just to control me… And EarthRealm freed me. With your help and some easily persuaded others, everything will be set back into balance. You are my family. Our family.” She placed her arm over her son, Diligite smiling.
Those who were close in her group nodded and agreed to it. The rest just stepped back and wandered off. Tenebrae asked where items of theirs was and they explained where they were. She knew where some items of others were and told Diligite which ones he should go for. Tenebrae and Diligite then separated and gathered items of the old warriors and head back to the society Tenebrae built. Though as she went to attain Liu Kang’s, Raiden’s staff appeared. She looked at it and then shook her head. She just took Liu Kang’s item as she heard her uncle’s voice behind her, “Take it and use it like the others.”
“No,” Tenebrae looked at him and held the other items. “If I rip you from where you are, then you’d just end up in the Nether and you’d never get back. I won’t do that to you.” She picked up the staff and shoved it at him. She then started to walk away and before she got too far, she turned back to him and said, “Thank you for the offer though.”
She teleported and dropped off the items in her home, Ko’atal greeting her with a firm embrace. She held back onto him and kissed him deeply. He then spoke to her, “I missed you.”
“I missed you as well,” She smiled to him and then got serious, “We’re going to attack Regir, all of the society this time.”
He looked into her determined eyes and asked, “What about the children?”
“They will be fine,” Tenebrae smiled at him. “Like it or not, this society might as well be one big family. We are the majority population in OutWorld and we all know how to fight. Plus I brought some friends.” She motioned to the items and said, “Diligite and I will be necromancing.”
Ko’atal gave her a look of disapproval. Before he could say anything, she and Diligite took the items outside and she laid each of them out, placing out the cooperative ones first and seeing the damn staff got there again. She picked it up and tossed it. She picked into the mind of the soul she melded with and started to speak under her breath. Diligite rubbed his head as he spoke to his step father, “I don’t have a good feeling… Not from this but… Just vaguely…”
The other available family that was going to fight showed up and were happy to see her, but Diligite kept them from going up to her. They watched as the items formed skeletons near them and the organs, blood and flesh went onto it in a reverse. Once they stood, Tenebrae finished what she knew and sighed, looking up at them. She noted that they were all following her movements and waiting for her say so. She spoke, “You all have free will…” That was when they began to act like themselves. She smiled and hugged them each before she laid the other items out, including a part of the helmet that she was given from Shao Kahn’s helmet that she retrieved from ChaosRealm. She looked at the items and sighed, not wanting to do this twice. She looked up at the others and distracted herself for a moment, “Hey guys.”
Vendict went over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. He smiled at her and then punched her in the face. Tenebrae smirked when he did so and hugged him. He pat her back and said, “I take it you busted free?”
“With Terror’s help,” She admitted, “I was so focused on protection I think I had lost the meaning behind my goals.” They all looked at her funny then she continued, “I am a guardian. I will protect my realm by my own means and won’t let an EarthRealmer fight it for me. Yes most of who I have resurrected temporarily are all humans but they are now NetherRealmers. So it’s time to take what’s ours. We do need a leader for now, and once the Realm is safe, we can go back to peace and anarchy.”
She then took a deep breath and went back to restarting the process all over again for the other items.
Diligite saw the staff got back in there and he yanked it away before she could get too far into it. He tossed it away and whispered to it even, “If you want to help, pick another way.”
Vendict started going through the society and telling people what was going on. Everyone was gearing up and getting ready to fight. An even amount of men and women decided to go while the rest were a home defense. Even with the numbers split in half, they had enough to overrun the empire with. Soon rose the uncooperative portions, under Tenebrae’s control as they took to the front. She snapped her fingers and the armor that was on her was flung randomly into EarthRealm and her bone armor snapped onto her. She rose her hand and her axe appeared in it as she clutched it. This group marched to the empire and began to attack. Tenebrae was done holding back and relying on others, it was time to take this place as what it was supposed to be and make it what she wanted it. She teleported into the throne room and expelled green skull from all angles to slam the guards and Regir into the walls. She then pointed at Regir and stanced up silently.
Regir smirked and said, “You made the wrong choice, little sister.” He began to disperse into sand and swirl.
Tenebrae’s eyes followed the location of his soul and began to twitch her one hand. She then placed two portals so he would go in one and slam into the wall with the other. She heard him moan but he got up. She then grasped his soul and watched him squirm, “No, you made the wrong choice.” She tugged at it from his body but wasn’t about to just kill him all at once. She wanted him to feel what he had put her through and just kept pulling and releasing. He managed to hit a button on his leg and two darts shot out. Tenebrae moved to miss the one but the other got her in the throat. She was forced to release his soul and she tried firing green skulls at him and dark balls as her eyes and nose began to bleed. He dodged these things then watched as she went down to the ground coughing up her own blood.
Regir stood himself up and walked over to her, pushing her head down with his foot as his blade formed in his hand. “I am really going to enjoy this.”
He swung the blade down and a skeletal hand shot out of the ground to catch it. Diligite had broken in and was willing to save his mother. He glared at Regir and said, “You will die one way or another…” He launched another skeletal hand out of the ground as a punch to him. Regir leapt away from it and rolled backwards. He smirked at Diligite and was about to say something when something opened beneath him and green arms were grasping hold of him and keeping him down. Diligite made the skeletal hands raise to the sides and then slowly wrapped the fingers around Regir and began to crush him. He heard his screams and the cracking noises as well as the metal crunching. As a last ditch, Regir tried firing all the dart kinds at Diligite. He was hit with all the darts, he was weakening and began to bleed but he continued to crush him slowly and only quit once the hands only had blood running from between them and no sound. Diligite let the hands turn to dust as he fell to the ground.
Tenebrae pulled herself over to him and gently held onto her son, whispering a lie through her teeth, “We’ll be alright… Just… Hold on…”
She saw in her blurring vision the guards were back up and closing in, then each of them were getting smacked away. Rapèl had appeared despite being told not to and was bashing the guards away with his hammer. He saw the condition they were in and teleported to find medical equipment. It didn’t take him too long but he took it to them and hooked them up there on the ground. He placed his hands on them and looked down, “Mother… Brother… You’ve won… Just don’t die on me yet…” He then rose up and burst back out with his hammer and yelled, “THE EMPEROR HAS FALLEN! REGIR IS DEAD!” He raised the hammer into the air and the others seemed celebratory.
Ko’atal ran straight up to the palace and past Rapèl, heading right to his wife and looking her over. He then looked over his step-son and placed his hands on them both. “You both will live,” He promised them, not sure he could keep such a promise. Her siblings and Spera ran in and immediately began to help. Weren calmed the bodies, reducing the poison’s effects but made sure to not fully tranquilize them. Despara put the entire group in a shield of light, some of the guards and people were still attacking despite their emperor being dead. Vendict helped with the medical equipment to make sure everything was working right. Dahk tried to manipulate darkness in them to get the poisons out by seeping them into his darkness and pulling it out safely, though was disturbed by the growing darkness in Diligite. Out of the siblings, Li and Lin didn’t return due to being slain out in battle. Spera knelt down with Ko’atal and promised her mother and brother that they would be alright.
Tenebrae started moving first and was coughing up blood still but seemed like she was going to be alright. She looked at Ko’atal and gripped onto his hand, managing out, “I almost… killed… him…” He picked her up into his arms and held her close to himself. She pressed her head against him and said, “I… Really fucked up, yeah?”
“No,” Ko’atal responded to her, “We killed thousands to save millions.”
Tenebrae smiled a bit. Diligite came to and two skeletal hands shot up, knocking Weren and Dahk away. Spera held him down and said, “Brother! Calm yourself!”
Diligite looked at her and coughed out some blood, “D-damn…” The hands turned to dust and he calmed down, letting Weren and Dahk resume helping him. He looked up and saw that Dahk was bleeding onto him and said, “Uncle… You’re bleeding…”
Dahk smirked a bit and said, “Yeah… I am bleeding. We all are…” He had a mark starting near his temple, slicing down onto his neck below his ear. He placed his hand onto Diligite’s chest and said, “Everyone will be alright in the end.”
Ko’atal removed Tenebrae’s medical assistance for the time being and walked her out. When they were outside of the palace, she looked at her group and some of the people captured and raised her hand into the air as she yelled, “WE ARE ALL FREE!” She still had blood running down her face but she felt at ease. Ko’atal took her back inside and hooked her back up, making her sit on the throne. He bowed to her first and the others bowed in turn. She gave them a look and then chuckled, “I am no ruler… Hey… Dahk, you want to take a shot?”
Dahk shook his head and said, “Not after seeing what it did to Regir…”
“I am sure you’d stay noble,” She argued with him, “besides… you still want to die by Terror’s hand… yeah?”
Dahk nodded a bit and sighed, “Only if the guardian so commands it.”
“I don’t command,” Tenebrae forced herself out of the throne, “I just request…” She went to the right hand side of the throne and sat there. Dahk rose up and placed his hand on the throne. Tenebrae raised her voice, “Hail Emperor Dahk…” She then rocked her head back and closed her eyes.
Dahk hopped out of his throne and checked on her, feeling that she was still alive, just resting. He smiled and then said, “First decree, even if I am emperor, all have an equal say. If I get out of line even a homeless being can imprison me. Second decree, the guardian is an important piece of our society and should be treasured but is equal, like all of us. Third decree, all of those rules implemented by Regir are to be banished. Fourth decree, I will shed my blood to make these oaths and if I do not follow them and begin down the path of insanity, may I be killed by the one who I deem worthy to do so. Terror.” He pulled his blade from his staff and sliced his hand open, letting it drip onto the ground. He then flicked his blood off his blade and placed it back into its bottom. He looked out at the others and then said, “My sister and nephew should rest… Let’s get them somewhere safe.” He moved and helped Diligite.
Tenebrae and Diligite were carried to their old rooms in the castle, Despara walking the halls to keep them safe. Raiden took his chance to visit then and stood at Tenebrae’s side. He looked at her resting body and said, “You should have let me help…”
“She is stubborn,” Ko’atal came in from the hall and walked up beside Raiden. “She wouldn’t take me as a husband for the longest time. I was persistent and here I am. She believed she did not need your help and you tried how many times?”
“Three times,” Raiden spoke firmly, placing his hand onto Tenebrae’s shoulder. “She is a fine guardian.”
Ko’atal smiled and said, “I hope she heard that.”
“She did,” Raiden then disappeared in a bolt.
Tenebrae had a smile on her face and her hand open. Ko’atal placed his hand in hers and rubbed her palm gently with his thumb. She spoke to him proudly, “I can protect this realm…” She then released the necromancy from earlier, allowing everyone she used to return to where they were in NetherRealm. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “Destroy the poisons in the palace… If you find any just eradicate it.”
He nodded and he got others to help, destroying the poisons they could find or any unknown substance except a vial of each, given to Dahk to see if he could figure out the compounds and make antidotes. Vendict decided to do a round with Spera and Rapèl following him and Reiko with Yemara right behind on their trails. Vendict saw the banished group on the outskirts of the city and ran over to them, recognizing some of them. “Hey! Loraj?! Terror! What in the living hell happened?!” He called as he tapped his mark to get over to them faster.
Loraj heard Vendict but checked on her children first, looking up to see her love had come with her since she marked him. “I don’t know, I just know the masters showed up and Dread ran like a puss and then we were here.”
Vendict smiled to her then looked to Terror and Terror explained, “We encountered Dread for his wrongs and he banished all of us here. All Kahns are no longer allowed on EarthRealm.”
Vendict gave him a serious look and then sighed, “Well, come with me to the palace. I will help you all get settled in.” He looked to Reiko and said, “You keep going. You know what to do.” Reiko nodded and he led Yemara, Spera, and Rapèl forward. Vendict then waved for Terror and the other of the Shirai Kuei to follow him. The other OutWorlders who weren’t family branched off and went to go find homes. Vendict lead Terror, Loraj, and her family as well as Domme and Sepht to the palace. Vendict snorted angrily when he saw Dahk wasn’t on the throne and said, “Damn emperor, already been a part of a day and he’s only been on the damn throne once…” He waved for them to keep following and walked past Ko’atal on the way and stopped to ask, “How are they?”
Ko’atal nodded as he stopped and turned to Vendict, “He is recovering quickly though the damage is seemingly worse since he was new to it. She is recovering fine as well, that dose should have killed her. He saved her life.”
“Do you know how?” Vendict asked.
Ko’atal shook his head, “Not first hand. He claims that he crushed Regir with two skeletal hands.”
“Since I won’t be stopping in, tell them I am impressed,” Vendict nodded to him. “Her necromancy was phenomenal.”
He then continued taking them to rooms and said, “Loraj, your family can have these two rooms. They are connected and if you want you can close them out of the room for private time between you and your loved one.” Loraj nodded his head to him and took her three children and her husband and went inside. He went down the way a bit and said, “Sepht… I am sorry. I have a room here you can have unless Terror and Domme want you in their room.”
Sepht shook her head and said, “They don’t need to share…” She went into the room and slammed the door, locking it.
Vendict sighed and said, “She loved him… Didn’t she…?”
Terror shrugs and Domme hit him on the back of the head playfully. She nodded and said, “Deeply. As deep as I love Terror.”
“That is a shame,” Vendict said then looked down. “She’s so short I don’t think she would find anyone interested here.”
“Fuck you,” Domme said, “She won’t even look. She would have died for him had he asked her and he tossed her aside like a used fucking tissue!”
“Don’t be mad at me!” Vendict sighed and opened a room and threw the key in. “There’s for you both… If you need help, everyone is pretty much available. Dahk is only Emperor by name and everyone’s equal. Do what parts you wish for yourselves or the community. Also that fool said if he fucks up, you need to kill him, Terror.” He stepped away from the door.
Terror would turn and beat his head on the wall. Domme would hold him and said, “Let’s just get settled… Maybe make a training area here…”
Vendict said, “That won’t be necessary.” Domme gave him an odd look. “While Regir was still in power, Tenebrae initiated a secret courtyard dedicated to the training and practice of Lin Kuei and should it ever arise here the Shirai Kuei. She was most dedicated to her ‘master’ Noob.”
Domme’s face lit up a bit and said, “Damn, she really cares.” She then went into the room and began looking around and getting her things in order.
Terror looked in and said, “I have a few things to figure out before I settle.” Domme nodded and resumed what she was doing. Terror wandered the castle and eventually found him in a place that was converted into a research lab. He was dropping various elements into a petri and watching how they were reacting, seeming really concentrated but when nothing showed up, he sat back and placed a hand on his forehead, not really noticing Terror. “So, any work getting done here?”
Dahk peered over at him and said, “Don’t tell me you’re going to try to drag me back to that damned throne too. Sitting on that thing is what led Regir down the path he took.” He wrote on the side of the petri dish and on a paper then pushed that petri dish aside and pulled another over of one of the other poisons. “Other than that, yes. I know what few things are reacting and what doesn’t on most of these. I am glad to see you though…”
Terror then held out his arm and said, “I need you to take some of my blood.” Dahk looked at him and then grabbed the proper equipment to do so. Placing a needle in Terror’s arm and having it go in. “I need a cure.”
Dahk looked more closely at him and nodded. “I will work on this first and foremost. For now, if it is what I think it is, just eat a lot of healthy foods, refrain from using your powers for a while, rest often, and… Well you can work out and train. That is the good side. The better physical condition you are in, the better you will last.” Dahk took it out of his arm and then placed a few extra looming bits of the blood onto a new dish to get started and a drop or two of water. He pulled it under his scope and started to look at it. He immediately grabbed the nearest compound to him and shaved off a bit to see if it did anything.
Terror left him at it and went back to his room. When there, Tenebrae was in with Domme just talking and Ko’atal was tugging on Tenebrae’s arm to take her back to where she was resting. “Domme, do you think there are any variations other than the additions of the other clan?”
Ko’atal begged her overlapping their conversation, “I implore you to go back to the life support and heal there…”
Domme responded to her, “Oh not really other than the flag is prettier. I mean, seriously, a scorpion is a kick ass symbol and then with the icy claws and stinger added in the shapes of the Lin Kuei is just a bonus!”
“I bet you’ve learned more styles than myself,” Tenebrae commented, then covering her mouth with her hand as she coughed. There was a little bit of blood on it but she didn’t seem worried.
Domme nodded excitedly, “Oh yes~! And not just styles meant for fighting!” She looked over and saw Terror there and said, “Hey hun!”
Tenebrae looked and smiled at him, “Hey Hashi Li.” She looked at her husband then and said, “If you’re so worried, why don’t you bring the supports over here so I can catch up with my sister.”
Ko’atal sighed and started heading out, “I did not think of that.” He slipped past Terror and whispered, “Run.”
Domme then said, “Hun come here.”
Terror would slowly enter the room. Tenebrae smiled at him and she coughed again, wiping the little spat of blood off of her hand and onto her clothes. “How have you been other than kicking ass?” Tenebrae decided to ask.
“Sick,” Terror responded to her.
Tenebrae sighed, “I know that, I mean otherwise. You must have had something going on when you weren’t bailing out my ass or loving up Domme.”
Terror shrugged and said, “I guess relaxed.”
Tenebrae smiled and then got up. “When Ko’atal gets here, don’t tell him where I am going.” She walked out of the room and took off down the hall.
Domme giggled and said, “Oh he’s going to be so pissed. She’s a tough one.”
Ko’atal finally drug the life support there and peeked into the room. He sighed and said, “She went to the training room…” He kept dragging the stuff and heading to the training room.
Domme smirked and said, “He knows her so well.”
Tenebrae went to the secret training room and started to just punch at the dummies there and was doing her forms. She was working her body knowing that she would be fine. She coughed a little and just let the blood fly, her fist going through them as they met their targets. She was showing enough restraint to hit the dummies but not to break them. She felt pain and breathed deeply then kept going. She was rejecting help from the Elder Gods to heal other than the quick healing she already had from them. She’d locked the door so Ko’atal couldn’t get in and continued on her decision to train through the pain.