Before the Storm

"Caves again? You have to be kidding me!"

Johnny Cage threw his arms up in frustration. "Haven't you people ever heard of normal places to live? Like... I dunno, houses and stuff?"

Diva threw him a sharp look. "This is war, Johnny. It's not like people can live their lives as if nothing was going on. Especially when someone is stealing their souls."

Johnny looked down. "Um... sorry. So, where are we heading again?"

"The Eccelsian refuge."

Johnny made a face. "That was so much enlighting, thank you."

Diva sighed, and Rayden frowned. Johnny was going to make a smart remark on that, but he changed his mind and reluctantly shut up.

The other warriors had long since lost track of time. The Eccelsian catacombs seemed endless, but Diva knew exactly where she was going. Or, at least, she seemed to. The surface was all burnt and scorged, with no sign of life for miles. They had barely been able to step through the entrance to the catacombs, which was half-buried in rubble, and now they were searching for a refuge which, according to what Diva said, was used in times of crysis.

"Listen... Are you sure we're heading in the right direction?"

Diva turned to look at Fujin. "I... think so. Last time I was here, I was very little, three or four years I guess. If there are any survivors-" her voice seemed to break at that "-then this is the place we must search first."

"All right then-"

Fujin suddenly stopped in mid-sentence and looked around.

"What's wrong?" Rayden asked, stopping and leaning against a wall. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I think I did, Fujin replied thoughtful.

"This is no time for jokes", Sonya cut in.

"It's no joke. I thought I saw someone... I don't know..."

"Maybe Diva has some explainations", Jax suggested with a hint of sarcasm.

Diva frowned. "I may", she said. "Wait here."

"O...kay", Jax mused to himself, watching as Diva took a few steps forward. "What is she up to?" he wondered silently.

"I don't know", Sonya replied harshly. "I don't trust her."

Diva now had a hand raised, and her eyes were searching the tunnel ahead with eagerness.

"Xudax!" she shouted suddenly.

The other warriors watched startled as a man seemed to appear from thin air. Xudax seemed slightly younger than Fujin; he was wearing emerald-green robes, his long and dark hair was plaited with thin, green bands, and his eyes glowed unnaturaly blue. He also wore twin gold bracelets. It was obvious that he was a deity.

"Princess Diva? Is that you?" Xudax asked, taking a cautious step forward.

"I haven't changed that much, have I", Diva replied, half-bitterly.

"In that case, it's good to have you back", the god stated, and, taking a step forward, embraced her. Only then he noticed the other fighters, and he quickly bowed before Rayden, then before Fujin. Fujin returned the bow; Rayden just nodded.

"Are you the protector of this Realm?" Rayden inquired suddenly.

"Yes. I am Xudax, God of Illusions, known protector of Eccelsia and son of the God of Volcanoes", the god stated. "It is an honor to-"

"Xudax", Diva cut in. "Are there any others?"

The god nodded grimly. "Yes. The refuge is this way. Follow me."

"Wait a minute!" Sonya Blade crossed her arms. "How can we be sure we can trust this man?"

"I guarantee for him", Diva snarled, starting towards Sonya. Fujin grabbed her hand firmly.

"It's simple. Either you trust me, or you don't."

Sonya was taken aback by the god's calm reply and reluctantly joined the others. Xudax opened a portal, and, one by one, all warriors stepped through it.

~

The refuge was nothing more than a giant cavern, lit by torches and fires. A spring was flowing at one end, and small, wooden huts were everywhere. All mortals started when the portal opened, but, to their relief, Xudax stepped out, followed by princess Diva. Behind them came the other warriors.

"Nice place", Johnny commented, dead-pan. Jax nodded approvingly.

"Welcome to the Eccelsian refuge", Xudax said grimly, dismissing the mortals that were starting to gather around them.

Rayden looked around. "How many survivors are there?" he inquired.

"Not more than a few hundred", Xudad replied.

Diva's eyes widened. "A few hundred?" Tears started to glow in her eyes, and Fujin put a conforting hand on her shoulder.

"There were millions", Diva said silently. The god just nodded.

"A few hundred are no match for Shinnok's hordes", Rayden muttered thoughtfully. "Is this the only refuge?"

"Yes." Xudax shook his head. "All is lost."

"But if our own armies join forces with yours, we might yet have a chance", Fujin suggested. "We can form an aliance with other Realms, too. I'm sure most deities want Shinnok's menace eradicated. Your Realm has a strong army. I know Lya and Ylandra's realms are just waiting for a chance to enter the war, and you can convince Rahne to aid us, too."

Rayden raised an eyebrow. "How about Nocturna, Fujin? You seem to forget about your own realm."

"The people in my Realm are peaceful", Fujin said, a bit disappointed. "But we have a strong allegiance with Thrain's realm, and he will be willing to help."

Xudax nodded. "That would be good indeed. But I'm afraid I don't know any of the deities you spoke about. Why would they want to help us?"

"Some of them are our friends or allies", Rayden replied. "All of them want Sninnok annihilated." The god extended his hand. "So, are you with us?"

Xudax looked at Rayden't hand for a moment, then looked at Diva as if searching for an answer. The goddess nodded silently.

"Yes", was the God of Illusions' answer as he took Rayden's hand.

The first alliance had been formed.

~

~One week later, at the Temple of the Elder Gods~

Liu Kang moaned softly, turned to one side, and then opened his eyes. He found himself laying on a rug, in one of the chambers of the Temple. Though his mind was still fuzzy, he recalled the place at once, and his tensed body relaxed at once. Heaving a little sigh, he slowly stood up and left to find Rayden.

~

"...And that is how to block a spear attack with bare hands", Diva finished, glaring around at the group of fighters gathered before her on the rocky ground. "Who wants to try it first?"

A tall and dark man, wearing a blue ninja suit, took a step forward. Diva nodded.

"All right. Let's see if you learned. Now, let's pretend I am an enemy", she said, grabbing a spear. "Let's say I'm out to get you. Like this."

With that, Diva thrust the spear forward. The ninja dodged it with a flip and pushed it aside and past him in a single, fluent move. Diva clapped her hands silently.

"Good. Let's see if you can do this again. Watch me closely, all right... now!"

This time, Diva leaned a bit to the right, then spun around and threw the spear. The ninja was taken by surprise, but quickly recovered and jumped out of the way. The spear flew past him.

"Excellent. You definately have potential. Which Realm are you from?"

"Lya's Realm", the ninja stated proudly. "And my name is Ayn."

"Very good, Ayn. Now go back to your place. Who wants to--"

"I believe, you dropped this?"

Diva turned around and her astonished gaze met with Liu's. He was holding her spear and grinning. For once, Diva was speechless.

"She did", one of the fighters, an older woman in a white outfit replied. "Nice of you to give it back."

"Liu!"

Diva bolted straight into his arms and embraced him tightly. "I thought you'd never wake up!" she said, her voice muffled by his shirt. "You gave us all quite a fright!"

"Yes, but I'm here, now, and that's all that matters", Liu answered, smiling. "Class dismissed", he said, turning to the fighters.

"But-" Diva started. Liu just shushed, and the two started to walk back to the entrance to the Temple. Once there, Liu parted from her and glared at her once, head to heels.

"Well, looks like I've missed a lot of things!" he said. Then he whistled admiringly, noticing her suit. "A liutenent, huh? Not bad!"

Diva smiled proudly. "For now. If things go on like this, I'll become a general soon!"

"Nice! Care to brief me in?"

"Sure. It's like this..."

The next hour, Diva told Liu everything that had happened since their escape. She told him about the messenger, about the ruination of Eccelsia, about newly-formed alliance, about the thousands of fighters that were being trained at the Temple of the Elders, under the supervision of Rayden, and about the other deities that lived at the Temple now and trained to fight on their side. When she finised speaking, Liu gave a thoughtful nod.

"So now these Realms are united."

"Yes."

"And what do you plan to do next?"

Diva frowned. "Well, most of these people don't really have fighting skills, and we must prepare them for the incoming battle. Time is short, and we have much to do. Afterwards, we'll plan an attack."

"And what if Shinnok learns of all this?"

"Then, Creator help us", Diva said quietly, and Liu asked nothing more.

~

In the dusk, the fortress that held most of Shinnok's troups looked even more frightening. The god who was waiting anxiously in front of the giant steel gates looked like an incarnation of pure evil, and this was not far from the truth. Shinnok paced around nervously, waiting.

Finally,out in the horizon, a black dot appeared, and it grew by every moment. Soon, it took the shape of a winged, four-armed, human-like creature. It landed next to the god and bowed to the ground.

"Arise", Shinnok ordered.

The creature did so, but kept its head slightly bowed.

"What news do you bring, messenger?"

"Lord Shinnok", the creature hissed in an unnatural voice. "Other Realms had formed an allegiance, against you. An army is being prepared in the Realm of Earth. They are willing to attack. But, they are unprepared."

"Excellent. You have served me well once again, Sarlakk." Shinnok made a dismissing gesture with his hand. "Now, be gone."

The creature known by the name Sarlakk bowed again, then spread out its wings and disappeared into the sky. Shinnok smiled, then turned and walked away, slowly, planning.

~

Alone in his barren chamber, Reiko stood and thought. He had trusted Shinnok - if one could have called it trust - and gained nothing in return. He had lived, every day, with the fear that, against all logic, his Realm might be erradicated. This is why he had done his best to please his master. And now, the thing that he had feared most had happened.

His Realm was destroyed.

It was so hard to accept this. What he had stood for, the one thing that kept him from falling apart, gone. It was too much.

Now, the general asked himself silently, what ration was there for him not to turn against Shinnok?

There was none.

And yet, Reiko found that he couldn't do it. He couldn't turn against his master. Because, unknown to anyone else, Shinnok held the destiny of the one person Reiko has ever cared about.

Or was it truly this?

Reiko didn't know. But he didn't want to risk anything more. She was the last thing that was left to him, and he didn't want to loose her, too.

And yet, there was someone... else.

But he was probably dead. Dead, among millions of other Eccelsians, probably in a heroic, yet futile attempt to save his home Realm. There was nothing anyone could do about it, now. He was gone. And all this, all this because of the man he had been serving for so many years.

It wasn't worthed. Nothing was.

Reiko gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. At the same time, a daring plan began to form in his mind.

~

The sudden light flodded the room, and Reiko shielded his eyes. He bowed, knowing that only Shinnok could arrive like this.

"My general", Shinnok stated, rather proudly.

Reiko did his best to contain himself. "Yes?" he asked in a calm tone, although he was boiling inside.

"Prepare your troops."

The general raised his head a little and glanced at the god. "We are attachink, Master?"

"Yes. It is time to show Rayden and his mortals my true might."

"Where will we attack, Lord Shinnok?"

"The Realm of Nocturna."

Shinnok's voice was filled with satisfaction, and Reiko flinched against his will.

~

Fujin was meditating inside his chambers, when Rayden appeared. The thunder god's face was grim, and Fujin guessed at once that the news he brought wasn't good.

"Fujin", Rayden started. Then he paused, not knowing how to bring the news upon his younger brother.

"Yes?"

Rayden didn't continue; instead, he came closer and sat down next to Fujin.

"Well, what is it?" the God of Winds asked impatiently.

"I... I don't know how to tell you this."

"Hey, whatever it is, I can handle it", Fujin said reassuringly. "I mean it. Tell me."

Rayden straightened up. "Something terrible has happened", he said grimly.

"What..."

"Your Realm, Fujin. It's--"

Rayden looked his brother straight in the eye, and saw tears starting to glow. Both knew what he was going to say. His words themselves sounded like an irreversible sentence.

"--gone."

~

It was true. The once glorious Realm of Nocturna now laid in ruin. There was nothing left - only ashes, and death still planing in the air, as if seeking for any surviving sould to satisfy its eternal hunger.

Fujin turned his face away from all this, locked his sorrow deep within and portalled away. There was nothing he could do. Instead, he felt anger building deep within, and he treasured it.

Soon, it would be payback time.