Furies Unleashed

The sun rose above the desolated plans of Outworld. One after another, dark shades began to draw upon the empty land: misshapen and grotesque representations of all things, they grew shorter and shorter, as the sun pulled up slowly, as if it hurt to advance every inch.

A dark figure contemplated the sunrise. He knew that this could be the last time he was watching it, so he took his time and let his soul be filled with the relative silence of the moment.

Finally, Shinnok tore his gaze away from the sunrise, and sighed. He wasn't overconfident like Quan-Chi, neither was he hot-tempered and ready to risk everything at once. He knew that the forces of light were stronger than ever; and this brought up a probability he hadn't considered before.

The probability of defeat.

And the final battle would ensure soon. Very soon. He could feel energy rising, one strong enough to create a portal that would take the entire army of the Light Realms to the Outworld. This was the day of the battle - Shinnok was certain on this. And this was the day that the fate of all known Realms would be set.

But what if he failed? What if he lost? Shinnok dismissed the thought. It wasn't the proper time and place to think about that.

And, no matter what the ensuring battle would bring... he would still have one small victory.

Shinnok smiled viciously as he held up a small vial. Sunlight reflected off its crystal surfaces, and the thin band of steam inside glowed faintly.

Yes, the god thought to himself. One last victory.

~

Somewhere, in another Realm, Rayden and Fujin took a brief moment of rest to contemplate the sunrise.

"Beautiful, isn't it", Fujin said dreamily.

"Indeed."

Rayden knew his brother. He knew that something was troubling him.

"Fujin. What is it?"

The younger god sighed. "I don't know, I just... well, I..."

"You're afraid."

Fujin looked down. "If I said I was, would think I was a coward?"

Rayden didn't say anything. Instead, he put a comforting hand on Fujin's shoulder. "I know, brother. I know. You look around; you contemplate the simple beauties that surround you, and you know that, in a brief moment, they could be taken away, just like that. I feel the same."

"Yeah..."

Suddenly, Fujin changed the subject.

"It's gonna take a lot of energy to transport our armies to Outworld. Are you sure we can do it?"

"A lot of deities are willing to help. I... We have to succeed. It's our last chance. If we fail, Shinnok will triumph, and everything we ever knew will perish."

Fujin bowed his head, "I understand."

After that, both gods kept silent.

~

Somewhere else, Sonya and Johnny Cage also watched the sunrise. Sonya's head was resting on Johnny's shoulder. They didn't say anything. For once, there was no need for words.

~

The sunrise made Diva's face glow a fiery red. Contemplating the rebirth of the star of dawn, she didn't hear Liu closing in. The warrior quietly sat down next to her, in silent admiration.

"Liu..."

The warrior turned and looked Diva in the eye. "Yeah?"

"If I don't make it... I just want you to know, that I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. Except... for him."

Liu closed his eyes. "I understand. But you're an excellent fighter. I know you'll make it."

A tear glowed in Diva's eye. "If I have to fight him..."

Liu wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. "Don't worry, Diva. I'll be there for you. I promise."

Diva layed her head on her shoulder.

"I know, Liu. I know."

~

Reiko watched the sun rise slowly. He closed his eyes, letting its warm rays give him a tender embrace. He remained like that for a long, long time. When the sun was high up, he finally opened his eyes and came back to reality. His master needed him; he knew that. He also knew that the battle would ensue that day. And he would do what he had to do. It was more than a duty; it was his destiny.

Reiko turned around and slowly began to walk towards the castle.

~

"Ready?"

All gods presend nodded silently, then joined hands. The sky begun to glisten, and a portal begun to swirl. It grew larger and larger, engulfing the vast Army of Light, and taking all warriors to the Realm that would be the theater of the final confrontation between darkness and light. Which one would prevail, it remained yet to be seen.

Slowly, amidst the chaos that was travelling between Realms, a burnt landscape began to take contour. It grew clearer and clearer, until, finally, the army stepped into Outworld. They were now on a seemingly endless field, with bones scattered here and there. The sun was high up in the sky. The head was unbearable.

And, a mere mile across, the armies of the fallen Elder God, Shinnok, awaited the final confrontation.

For a moment, both armies watched each other with feral eagerness. Then, Shinnok's voice boomed across the entire battlefield, "Attack!"

~

The others were loosing.

The thought dawned on him all of a sudden. The Army of Light was loosing the battle. It was clear; sooner or latter, Shinnok would win.

And then, chaos would ensue. Reiko had seen many Realms destroyed by the hatred Elder God. That would await every other Realm. The would would crumble at Shinnok's feet. Life would perish. And it would remain like that for thousands of generations.

Suddenly, Reiko froze. The fighter before him froze as well.

They wore the same uniform. The same symbol glowed on their wrists. And, seemingly, they were bound together by a cruel destiny.

For a moment, Diva and Reiko glared at each other. Then, slowly, Reiko took out a ninja star. Not like the ones he normally used, but one made gold.

A memory flashed through Diva's mind with the speed of a lightning bolt.

~

'What is that?' the girl asked, pointing to the glowing ninja star. 'It's beautiful!'

'Yes, isn't it.' The man contemplated it with sad eyes. 'But this, will one day bring me death.'

The girl's eyes widened with curiosity, 'What do you mean?'

The man sighed. 'One day, if I won't have a chance left in a battle, then I would die with honor. With this.'

'You, not have a chance? That's impossible!'

The man sighed, then ran a hand through the girl's brown hair. 'I know, Princess. I know.'

~

Reiko looked at the ninja star, and a tear slowly ran down his face. He would do what he had to do. He could't bare it any more. He would die with honor. He saw Diva's eyes go wide with surprise, then raised his hand. In a mere second, it would all be over.

~

Riding his horse, Shinnok ran across the battlefield, and havok ensured wherever his spyked javelin hit. All of a sudden, a strange scene caught his eye. Diva and Reiko, standing in front of each other, as if time would have suddenly been frozen there. With a malicious smirk, the god headed his horse towards the two.

~

Out of the corner of his eye, Reiko saw Shinnok approaching on his horse. He saw the god preparing to throw the javelin. He shouted, 'Get down!', then aimed and released the golden ninja star. The same moment, the javelin left the god's hand. Reiko threw himself towards Diva, and a sharp pain cut through his entire body.

The wounded god released a demonic shriek; he fell down, clutching at his neck. Dark streams of blood flew from his wound. It was fatal. In a matter of minutes, he would be dead.

The god took out a small vial from the folds of his robes. He pulled the ninja star from his wound, gritting his teeth, and carefully took aim. With a terrifying laugh, he crashed the vial, and the steam within vanished.

Although a deep myst was blurring his vision, Shinnok turned to look at Diva.

Yet, nothing happened.

Then, Reiko slowly stood up, clutching at his chest. Holding Shinnok's javelin, Reiko slowly came close. The last thing Shinnok saw was Reiko's arm, ready to strike. He motioned to get away, but it was too late. With a victorious shriek, Reiko impaled the javelin in Shinnok's chest. With a final convulsion, the dark soul of the god left his body, and, in a mere second, it was all over.

But Reiko's vision was blurry. He leaned against the javelin, then fell down on his knees. His chest was burning. The last thing he saw was Diva, rushing towards him; then, the world become nothing more than darkness, and pain.

~

When Reiko came round, the first thing he saw was Diva's face. Her eyes were tired, and there were dark rings around them; yet, between the tears that were running down her face, she foced out a smile. Then, he realized that she was holding her hand, and he tried to smile as well. He tried to stand up, but he fell back with a soft moan.

A cold hand touched his forehead. "It's all right, Father. You're save."

A tear slowly ran down Reiko's cheek. "Father", he whispered. "You... you never called me that."

"I always felt it", she replied. "You were, are, and will always be, my beloved Father."

Reiko didn't say anything, just smiled.

"Now rest. It's been a rough battle for all."

"What... " Every word sent a sharp pain through his head.

"We won", came the reply. "Shinnok is gone."

Reiko heaved a great sigh of release, then closed his eyes and slipped into a peaceful sleep.

~

It was later.

Months later.

Ridded of Shinnok's threat, the Realms could now thrive in peace, for many generations to come. The ones that had once been destroyed were now reborn at the hands of their deities.

But what had happened to the warriors that had fought so bravely in the past?

Some were gone; killed in the battle, or dead because of injuries. But most were alive and wealthy.

Among the most cherished champions were the warriors of the Earth Realm.

After the confrontation, their lives went on. Johnny kept starring in blockbuster movies, Sonya and Jax went on with their military training, and Liu Kang returned to his temple. Diva and Reiko went back to their own Realm, and under their reign, Eccelsia was reborn, free from tirany and horror. Liu and Diva promissed each other they would keep contact, and the Goddess often came to visit. Reiko watched the two with an understanding frown.

Everything was as it was supposed to be.