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A Foreigner’s Tale, Book 1
A Mortal Kombat Fan Fiction
Rated T for violence, language, suggestive themes and potentially disturbing imagery
(This chapter is marked Mature for violent content.)
Chapter 5: Round One – Fight!

No matter how I look at it, I still believe that the first morning of the tournament came far too soon for my liking.

I woke up with faint sunlight in my eyes, the ribbon warm and clenched in my hands, and the sheets wrapped tightly around me like a cocoon. Cecilia leaned out the open window, likely taking in the scenery.

I laid there for some time, staring at my friend. She probably didn’t realize that I had opened my eyes, so I just remained, thinking…

That was one of my best friends – my absolute best friend in this dangerous world. Together, we would witness the wrath of Goro, the schemes of Shang Tsung… and the heroism of Liu Kang. Together, we would survive.

Only together…

I looked sleepily at the ribbon in my hand and thought briefly of Raiden.

He was a comfort to me, both in my old home and here in Earthrealm. At home, I’d pretended that in some way, he was with me when I felt like some part of my life would overwhelm me. The mere thought of the Thunder God would comfort me, inspire me, motivate me.

And now he would mentor me, Cecilia, Johnny, Sonya and Liu Kang.

Because we had to live. At least, that’s what I believed.

Oh, what a wonderful world…

I shifted, loosening the grip of the covers, and pushed myself up.

Cecilia turned to me. “You’re awake! Good morning, Gancena!”

“Good morning, Cece,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. When I reopened them, Cecilia sat on her noticeably neat bed, with the covers almost as perfect as they were the night before. “Made your bed, huh? How long were you waiting for me to wake up?”

“I was waiting all night, really. I never unmade the bed,” she answered.

Eh? I didn’t understand at the moment, so I only came to one conclusion. “…Were you up all night?”

Cecilia nodded, smiling. I scanned over her face. She looked as ready as ever to take on the tournament – or whatever else the world could throw at her. Her eyes were bright and bagless – she didn’t even seem tired.

“Why?” I asked.

“Oh, did you forget? I don’t sleep. I don’t need to,” she explained.

Then it all hit me – Cecilia was right. Not only that, but it also explained her lack of feasting the night before. Being an angel, she didn’t need to eat; she didn’t need to sleep.

She just… didn’t need to.

“Oh, yeah…” I mumbled, scratching my ear. “I remember now! You’d written that in several of your fics, right? Including that one back-and-forth roleplay we did?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t have to eat or sleep, but I can if I want – just so people won’t worry and think that I’m some kind of anorexic insomniac.” Cecilia then looked towards the window. “So it begins today, huh? Mortal Kombat…”

I nodded. “The last tournament before it all changes… one way or another.” I waited for my friend to face me before continuing. “Cecilia, this story is long and hard, but… damn, if it isn’t one of the best stories I’ve ever heard. I’ve found it so powerful and emotional… Now we’re a part of it… and it has begun.”

---

For some reason the first round is exceptionally livid in my mind. Perhaps it was because it was so surreal, because I was living Mortal Kombat. Or perhaps I just turned it all over in my head one too many times to start losing parts of it. Or perhaps I was observing the kombat very intently. Even to me, this is strange. Either way, I always seemed to remember it like it was just yesterday… Nevertheless, I am grateful that I retained these particular fights so well, especially after all these years, so that I may deliver them accurately and properly.

The sun had begun its ascent into the bright blue sky when all the contenders and many of the gruntish guards had gathered around the first arena, The Courtyard, to witness the first round of the tournament.

It was a very simple stadium, a large rectangular slab of stone roughly the size of a tennis court raised about… I’d say four feet above the ground – any spectator at the edge could easily place his or her hands upon it. More guards, these in metal masks and wielding bladed poles, stood on all sides of the platform at regular intervals.

Shang Tsung sat upon another throne, set and raised between two spectator areas. He rose.

“From this moment forward, my island will be your battleground.” He pointed two fingers in the general direction of our group, huddled near a corner farther away from the sorcerer. “Liu Kang! You will be first.” Then, he did the same to the other side of the arena. “Jamba Trook will be your opponent.”

Liu Kang stepped up and onto the arena, wearing the fighting outfit I was so familiar with – shirtless, a red band tied around his head, black pants with red stripes gracing the sides, and very basic wristbands. On the opposite end, a black man with long dreadlocks did the same.

In the customary gesture of respect, the two contenders bowed to each other.

“Let Mortal Kombat begin!” Shang Tsung declared. “Fight!”

The scuffle didn’t begin instantaneously, but the shouting from all sides of the area did. Instead, there was a tense pause, and both Liu and Jamba began to circle the arena, mirroring each other, slowly…

Suddenly, Jamba tensed and looked about to attack. Liu braced himself, but his opponent did not move. It had been a feint.

Our group was silent and intent on the match as the two continued in their calculating gap…

Then it began!

With a shout, Jamba lunged toward Liu Kang, his hand flat in an attempted chopping strike. Liu held up his arm, blocking the blow, and with his free hand, punched his opponent’s face.

Jamba recoiled and jumped a few feet backwards. He shook his head once, moved closer to Liu, and performed a side kick. He spun around, repeating the attack. Both kicks were thankfully dodged.

Liu suddenly leaped backwards again, much farther this time. The opponents began charging at each other, but then the Shaolin monk leaped within yards of Jamba, leg extended – a flying kick. The blow connected squarely and firmly to Jamba’s chest, and he fell backwards.

With another shout and a quick movement, Jamba swept his leg under Liu’s, successfully tripping him. He swiftly sprang to his feet and raised one leg, intending to strike Liu.

Even though I doubted he could even hear me, I couldn’t resist shouting, “Liu! Watch out!”

Jamba shot his leg towards Liu, but the monk rolled right out of the way and leaped to his feet when there was a fair distance between him and his opponent.

The other man glared, and he charged towards Liu one more time…

Liu Kang was prepared for this attack, for when Jamba was within range, he flipped in a way akin to a cartwheel, effectively striking him twice in the face. When he landed, he popped his opponent up several feet into the air with a powerful uppercut.

Jamba lay on his back, dazed and very likely to lose consciousness.

“Liu Kang wins!” Shang Tsung declared.

“Yeah!” I squealed, raising my fists. There was much joyful clamor from all directions – everyone was pleased at how awe-inspiring the first fight turned out. I watched and applauded as Liu Kang, Shaolin monk, member of the White Lotus Society and defender of Earthrealm descended the small flight of steps to rejoin us.

Many contenders gathered closer to congratulate him on his first victory, as did I.

“Liu! You were amazing!” I breathed.

Only then did he truly smile, laying a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you, Gancena.” Then he looked to the arena. “And my opponent was a good fighter himself.”

I turned… and witnessed the unnatural.

Above Jamba’s faintly moving form, I could clearly discern a green glow roughly the shape of a human form, like an aura. The heartbeat I looked, the energies seemed to be connected to Jamba, but then they separated and the warrior was perfectly still. As two guards moved in to carry Jamba off the battlefield, the ribbon of forces streamed away from the fallen contender… and into Shang Tsung’s oh-so slightly raised hand.

My gaze was locked on the scene before me. I knew what had happened.

I looked to Liu Kang, who also stared, brow a bit furrowed, as if he only thought he saw something. I turned my head to Cecilia and she also had her sights set on the sorcerer, eyes slightly wider than normal.

The first soul of the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament had been stolen, and the only true witnesses were Liu Kang, Cecilia, Shang Tsung and I.

---

The sun had made a noticeable move, though it was still not high, and I had counted three matches – and three more souls stolen, much to my horror – before Shang Tsung pointed his selective hand anywhere near us.

“Sonya Blade!” he called. My ears shot up in alarm, and I looked to the Special Forces agent. She wormed her way through the crowd of contenders and marched up the steps, taking her place near the center of the area – all without a word or even a glance.

She, too, was in a more familiar fighting outfit… and frankly, I didn’t know how she was comfortable showing her stomach, being clad in a green half-shirt and pants to match. Her hair was tied back with a simple black band.

The sorcerer then cast his selective hand back to the other side of the arena. “Jeremiah Smith!”

Onto the courtyard platform stepped a lean young man with short golden brown hair. He and Sonya bowed to each other, like Liu Kang and his opponent had done.

“Fight!” Shang Tsung commanded.

Sonya rushed towards Jeremiah, readying a high punch. However, the young man caught the strike. The lieutenant tried again with her free hand. It, too, was caught. Jeremiah smirked.

Sonya wouldn’t stand for it. With a grunt, she lifted her leg and kicked him firmly in the chest. Before Jeremiah could react, she spun around, delivering a harsh roundhouse kick to her opponent’s head.

For a moment, he lay on the concrete, and it seemed as though the match was over, but he suddenly rose, looking frustrated. He lunged and gripped Sonya around the waist. The next instant, the Special Forces agent was thrown unceremoniously over Jeremiah’s shoulder. The lieutenant landed on her back.

“Sonya!” Johnny and I shouted, almost in unison.

We knew she would not hear us, and yet a moment later, she rolled over on her stomach, glaring at the other contender. Then, she lifted herself into a handstand, her ankles positioned on either side of Jeremiah’s neck – the famous Leg Grab.

Jeremiah panicked a bit, grabbing her legs in an attempt to dislodge the grip, but before he could do anything else, she heaved, tossing the man through the air. While he flew, there was a noticeable sensation within the audience.

However, the poor soul landed on the edge of the arena, right on his back, and fell forward, out of my sight. But from where I was, I saw the terrible scrape just before he landed. There was a terrible shout of pain. I had to avert my eyes for a moment.

If that one injury was a shocker, then I couldn’t imagine what a true finisher would do to me.

Great. Beautiful.

There was a chorus of wincing and hissing, and I joined it. Even Sonya appeared to recoil slightly.

“Sonya wins!” Shang Tsung declared.

Through the crowd on the other side of the courtyard weaved two grunts, who stopped near where Jeremiah had fallen. The next thing I saw was their blended silhouettes moving away from the group entirely, heading towards some other part of the island. Jeremiah’s groans could still be heard when they were out of sight.

Only then did Sonya turn to leave, descending the stairs and returning to our sides.

“Sonya!” Cecilia whispered. “You kicked that guy’s ass!”

“You were awesome, despite… well…” I added.

She stared across the platform for a moment. “Yeah… a bit harder than I’d intended.”

“Huh, and now that guy’s gonna get the shaft,” Johnny remarked.

I glanced briefly at the sorcerer… and was only a bit surprised to see how unreadable his expression was. I thought that our distance was probably the reason it looked that way. I swallowed. He was probably going to wait, and possibly have his men finish him off. He was essentially waiting for another soul… I followed Sonya’s gaze. I listened past the murmurs of the crowd.

There were no more sounds from Jeremiah. He was already gone.

---

My heart seemed to pound a bit harder all throughout the next few matches, and I spent much of my time thinking. I was in a completely different universe. This was Mortal Kombat. I was going to fight today.

Did I make the right choice, coming here? Did I even have one?

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said…

When the sun was high, another call to our side was made:

“Johnny Cage!”

My ears shot up again; I couldn’t help but be startled.

“Well, here goes nothing,” the actor sighed. Then he turned to me, holding his iconic pair of sunglasses. “Hey, Gancena, would you mind holding these for me?”

“Not a problem,” I replied, taking the item. He turned, weaving his way towards the arena. He, like Liu, would fight shirtless, with black pants adorned with blue stripes and big white letters reading “CAGE” on the sides.

Once again, the sorcerer pointed towards the opposite end. “Roman Aviles!”

The man who stepped up was probably the bulkiest of all the opponents pitted against my friends thus far, but I would still say he was of average build. He was tanned, with a small mustache and a buzzcut of dark hair.

Another bowing exchange, as per custom.

“Fight!”

Roman made the charge, but Johnny attempted the first strike: a high kick. However, Roman ducked, and when Johnny’s leg settled back on the ground, he launched an uppercut, sending the actor staggering backwards.

Roman tried to land another punch, but Johnny ducked and countered with a fist of his own. Then he struck quickly, with a side kick followed by a roundhouse. Both were hard hits. Roman attempted a side kick of his own – a firm one, but a pretty slow one. And so it was dodged.

Then, Johnny lashed out with a hard punch to his opponent’s chest and took him down with a well-done sweep kick.

Roman struggled, but did not rise. He lay still, breathing heavily, within the moment. I always thought that Johnny’s final punch was what did the trick.

“Johnny Cage wins!”

Johnny backed out of the arena slowly at first, and I moved to meet him. Hey, he’d asked me to hold his sunglasses.

“Nice,” I complemented, unfolding the shades.

“I dunno, he didn’t seem to have that much skill in him,” he thought aloud, shrugging. My stomach clenched a little. I didn’t have that much skill, either…

I turned the glasses around in my hands and made a motion to put them on him – a friendly gesture, I hoped.

I hesitated in my motion a little, and he seemed to take the pause as a cue to reclaim and slip on his shades. I flushed. I’d meant to put them on him… Ah, whatever. It was the little awkward things that would otherwise make me antisocial.

But I was always willing to make an exception for certain groups, the kombatants among them.

My ears pricked, and I turned to check on Roman…

By then, his soul was already in Shang Tsung’s unholy hands.

---

Of our group, Cecilia and I were the only ones left to fight. Of all the more important kombatants (dammit, that seems kind of cruel to say…), not only did my friend and I have yet to compete, but so did Kano, Sub-Zero and Scorpion.

I have to admit, I was kind of excited at the thought of seeing them go at their opponents.

And speak of the devil…

“Kano!” Shang Tsung suddenly called. This summons startled me more than any other; and I didn’t have to look to know that it had also grabbed Sonya’s full attention in a chokehold.

He was pointing towards our side of the arena, yes… I tried to peer past others’ shoulders, trying to get a view of the crime lord…

Why did I have to be so short!?

I knew from my dang memory that both Liu Kang and Sonya were the shortest of the main contenders, both standing at five feet, ten inches. I wasn’t sure how tall Cecilia was, but she did seem to be around there. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken my own measurements…

Therefore, I only saw the man, already chuckling under his breath, when he stepped onto the fighting platform.

Then, to the other side: “Sergei Korolenko!”

A fair, tall man, his hair hidden by a grey beret, strode to center of the stage. He bowed to his opponent.

Kano did not, settling for spitting towards Sergei. The other warrior was not amused.

“Fight!”

Aggressive Kano made the first charge, throwing a dodged punch. When he swung his other fist, it knocked Sergei across the face. The larger man staggered backwards a bit, and then Kano did something surprising.

I saw the slight glow from his infrared eye seconds before he unleashed a short, but sharp-looking laser beam, which hit dangerously close to Sergei’s heart. Sergei himself shouted in agony.

Kano smirked, and then he took the opportunity to rush his foe and attempt a swift roundhouse. Sergei, likely loaded with adrenaline, backed away and did not hesitate to counter with a kick to Kano’s head. When the Australian thug was still downed, Sergei added another low kick to his counter.

Kano was not amused. I heard him growl. And then, he sprung up with an incredibly strong and vicious uppercut. It was astonishing – it sent the larger Sergei flying. He landed hard on his chest.

Shang Tsung suddenly rose from his throne. “Finish him!”

The moment Sergei rose – and the poor man could barely stand – Kano’s hand shot to his chest, like a fierce talon. There was a sharp howl of pain, and a collective gasps from the crowd, and a gruesome spray of blood.

Though there was some distance between Kano and I, I could still glimpse his expression. I’m certain that I would have been absolutely terrified if I’d been any closer.

He looked so feral.

Then, the evil mercenary yanked his hand once and ripped out Sergei’s still-beating heart. He held it high in victory, almost ecstatic.

“Kano wins!” The sorcerer proclaimed. “Fatality!”

There was a frightened sweeping amongst the crowd, and I, panting and nauseous, watched Sergei’s body as it fell into a pool of its own blood. Then I looked to the heart.

It did still beat, but whatever it would have sprayed had long since gone. I thought about it a little… the body was dead, yet the heart was not, at least not just yet. But no matter what, the soul – the eternal soul – was in Shang Tsung’s hands.

And the three would never be reunited. Ever.

---

Several fights passed, and the sun leaned more towards the west. The afternoon was still young.

I still commend myself for not puking my guts out during Kano’s fatality. After all, his seemed like next to nothing compared to what lay ahead…

“Sub-Zero!”

Oh, God, oh, God, oh God…

Again, I struggled to get a glimpse of the warrior as he made his way to the arena. I thought to myself. This was the Lin Kuei’s finest assassin. He was also someone’s son, someone else’s brother, and someone else’s killer…

Oh, God…

His opponent? “Ayo Kiprop!”

The man who entered the other side of the arena was dark-skinned, bald and lean. I got the feeling that he would be a soft-spoken person. Even when he exchanged bows with Sub-Zero, he seemed mild-mannered, while the Lin Kuei was more… businesslike. Not exactly nonchalant, like I’d originally thought. Yes, businesslike was the best word. It made sense, even.

Considering that his other job was to – get this – assassinate Shang Tsung.

I kid you not.

“Fight!”

There was considerably less noise from the watching contenders, but that from the guards was unchanged. The first moment was fairly still; there was no circling, but there was no movement, and both men took their stances.

It was actually Ayo who made the first charge, lashing out with a hook punch and a battle cry. The Lin Kuei caught his opponent’s strike, and then, he focused his Fa Jing – the forces behind ice powers in this world – and passed it on to Ayo’s forearm, completely freezing it. Ayo yowled at the sharp cold.

Sub-Zero did not hesitate to continue his attack, with three swift punches to Ayo’s face and a strong kick to the head. Drops of blood flew onto the nearby stone. The dazed Ayo struggled to rise, setting his frozen limb onto the ground as support and still thrashing to stand up. Yet, in a surprisingly swift movement, he swung his icy arm like a club and struck Sub-Zero’s stomach. The ice warrior recoiled.

Ayo took the opportunity with all his might, nearly springing to his feet. He attempted a jump kick, which missed Sub-Zero, but then he struck again with his frozen arm. Sub-Zero retaliated with a kick to his opponent’s chest, then an elbow to the back of his head. Ayo still struggled, but not as strongly. When he barely got to his feet, the call was made.

“Finish him!”

Ayo looked towards the sorcerer in fear, and then back at his opponent. The man swung his frozen arm one more time. It was a slow blow, and easily avoided. Then Sub-Zero came in for the final strike…

The Lin Kuei grabbed his opponent around the neck and yanked once, ripping out Ayo’s head and spine. His body fell to the ground, spilling an alarming amount of blood.

From the crowd, there were screams and shouts, and I heard even more people emptying their stomachs.

I could only look at the severed head, and only for a moment. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open as if to scream. Then I glanced at the spine, bloodied and – oh, dear God, it swayed!

I had to look away. My instincts were strong and my stomach was weakening; I had no choice.

I shut out as much of the noise as I could and focused on breathing. I panted, deeply but quickly, and I had to swallow two or three times to control the urge to vomit. Even then, my stomach was a frantic bundle of nerves that just wanted to get out. They wanted out!

---

There was almost no time between Sub-Zero’s match and the next. I was still panting, eyes shut trying to calm my stomach and clear my mind when the next name was called…

“Cecilia Aurion!”

My heart nearly jumped out of my throat, and I drew in a sharp breath, looking right at my friend. She herself seemed a bit dazed from witnessing the carnage, but beckoned me over with her white-gloved hand.

I approached her and she whispered, voice quavering: “I… I’m guessing that weapons aren’t used in tournaments?”

“Not conventionally, anyway,” I answered, calming a bit, “and at least not on Earthrealm, it seems. Did you want me to hold Razerglaze?”

The angel unlatched her sword and its sheath from her gold chain belt and placed it in my extended hands. “Yeah. My grieves should be enough, and if worse comes to worse, well…” she trailed.

I nodded, catching the message. Mana.

She then turned to the arena steps, sighing:

“Here I go! Wish me luck!”

“Good luck, Cece!” I exclaimed.

I used the moment to look over Cecilia’s rapier. A mystical sword, made of cosmic material, and colored blue, a perfect match to her primary mana element.

Which was funny, considering who had just fought.

“Minako Takanaka!”

Cecilia’s opponent was a short, slender Oriental girl – I daresay she was more or less my size. She had an air of fierceness about her. Her bow to Cecilia was full-hearted and respectful.

“Fight!”

Cecilia appeared to look over her opponent two or three times before moving forward with a high kick. However, Minako grabbed her leg and shoved her to the ground with a brave yell. She immediately tried to follow up with a fist to where my friend lay, but the angel rolled aside, and the blow hit the stone. Surprisingly, Minako was unfazed.

Cecilia did not completely rise, she instead delivered a fast and hard kick to the head, and Minako fell. The angel sprung to her feet.

For a moment, her opponent did not rise. Had Cecilia already won? I could understand that her grieves would put some extra force behind every blow, but could it knock someone out that easily?

There was still a sensation from the guards, but the contenders were more or less silent. Cecilia stared at the downed Minako, apparently wondering whether or not to relax her stance.

Suddenly, Minako stirred. The noise rose again.

Almost instantly, Minako was back on her feet, and she charged at Cecilia. She was swift, but the angel was swifter – Cecilia caught the punch Minako threw.

Cecilia didn’t hesitate. She raised her leg and struck Minako in the chest, sending her staggering. She followed up with a side kick to the abdomen, and a roundhouse that was likely aimed at Minako’s head but hit her shoulder. Then, the back of Cecilia’s hand struck Minako across the face. She fell, and again she was still.

The entire arena waited, in case Minako would stir again. It was a far longer pause than the first, and still nothing happened. It was certain: Minako was down and out.

“Cecilia wins!”

I cheered. Despite everything that had happened and what the end of any match meant, I actually cheered.

But I slowed and then ceased when I caught Cecilia staring at her fallen opponent, then glancing to the sorcerer and back. Then I saw the green stream and I was silent and solemn.

Only when it was done did my friend leave the arena, glancing behind her every so often. She seemed pensive, undoubtedly over what she had just seen.

When she looked back at me, I held Razerglaze forward. “Well done, Cecilia,” I praised.

“Thank you,” she replied, taking her sword. “You still have to fight, don’t you?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Well, I hope you win!”

I swallowed. “But can I win, Cecilia? With my skill?”

My friend placed her hands on her hips. “Hey, hey. Don’t you remember what Raiden said? You’ll make it as far as you believe you will. You’ve got to believe in yourself, Gancena!”

I looked her in the eye. Believe in myself… I never really knew if I believed in myself. I always thought I was just… there. Acting. Doing. I knew very well of faith in others – any kombatant was better than me, and could therefore win a match, for example – but faith in myself seemed… outlandish. To me, it was conceited, to a degree that I would never dare reach. Laughable, even.

Then I felt another hand on my left shoulder. Surprised, I looked to its owner – Liu Kang.

“Cecilia’s right, you know,” he added, quietly.

Then Cecilia’s hand reached for my free shoulder, and for a heartbeat, I was certain that it was all true.

For a heartbeat, I was certain I had that faith.

Even just for a heartbeat…

---

A longer pause this time, but I didn’t really bother to count the number of matches. But it was the most intense lull of all – for me, anyway. Of our little group of chosen champions, I was the only one who had yet to fight. Each time a match started up, I expected the sorcerer to call my name, and each time he didn’t, I sighed… I was relieved that I was completely safe for one more round, but I still was tense. I wanted to get it over with already.

Or did I? What if I lost? Then my soul would be trapped within him for good! Or at least until—

No. No. No. Don’t think that way, I told myself, or it will surely happen!

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said…

Then, at some point, the sorcerer’s two pointed fingers coursed noticeably close to me…

“Gancena!”

The call of my name garnered my strongest and most visible reaction yet. My ears shot up. I felt an intense jolt. My heart tried to escape through my throat.

I sobered from the initial startle soon enough, however, and started a nervous walk towards the arena.

“Hey, Gancena! Wait!” Cecilia called.

I was more than glad to turn back to her, right when she was behind me. “Your sword…”

I looked down, and Lunavalora did hang by my left hip. “Oh, yeah,” I murmured, reaching for the sheath. I hesitated, thinking that undoing the belt that held it would be more efficient.

As I removed it, I wondered very briefly. I knew I never explicitly gave this belt to my character. It was simple and black, and crafted of rough leather. A well-tied link of rope held Lunavalora’s sheath to the belt.

Like she had done to me, I held the sword, belt and all, and placed it in Cecilia’s open hands.

“Good luck, Gancena. You can do it,” she added, winking.

I felt a tiny burst of confidence in the fact that she, at least, had faith in me. I felt the ribbon brush my throat, more pronounced than before.

I finally stepped onto the platform and waited for my opponent.

Shang Tsung called to the opposing end: “Adam Johnston!”

The man who faced me was lean and of a fair complexion, with dark hair and eyes. I could never figure out what sort of feel he gave off, mostly because I was half-tense for battle and half-ready to drown in my own nerves.

This was war.

“Fight!”

Exhaling audibly, I took a stance, checking over my fists again – yes, they were correct this time.

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said—Oh, God!

By the end of my thought Adam had already begun to charge towards me, and the man tackled me to the ground before I could react. I was completely startled, taken off guard, and so I focused a small amount of Spirit Force into my hand and struck Adam across the face.

I scrambled away and stood up, resuming my stance. When Adam rose, I lashed out with a right hook punch, followed by a left. Both missed.

But when I attempted a side kick – swift, but not quite strong – it connected.

Adam retaliated with a hook punch of his own, to my left cheek. I could almost feel the adrenaline spike, and a metallic taste got into my mouth – not just blood, though: the coppery tang of anticipation, be it for good or bad.

Slightly dazed, still tense, and filled to the brim with unchecked chaotic energy, I did the first thing I could think of: I thrust my hand in Adam’s face, colliding with his nose, and let a small flash of Spirit Force escape through my palm. He shouted, surprised and blinded.

I knew that was my opening, and I had to act then. I unleashed my first long chain of attacks: a jump kick to the head, a very unpolished roundhouse to the chest, two hook punches to the face, a another side kick – a bit stronger this time – to his abdomen.

Somehow, Adam still stood. I crouched and quickly swept my leg underneath his, sending him falling backwards. He hit the ground loudly – or perhaps that seemed so because I was the closest witness.

Tense moments passed. Adam did not move.

I kept my stance. I was sure that like Cecilia’s opponent, Adam would rise, and the fight would go on…

“Gancena wins!” declared the sorcerer.

My ears shot up again, my fists still clenched. …I won? I won? I won? …I won? …That easily? No way. Impossible. Not at my pathetic level. It couldn’t be. Was it a fluke? Did something get rigged?

I was more confused than elated as the cheers erupted from the guards and applause poured from the crowd – just like with any match.

But I turned back and saw my friends. All but Cecilia applauded. Instead, the angel was cheering, holding my sword high. I timidly raised my hands, facing them, as a gesture of acknowledgement and victory.

Then I vaguely sensed the forces shifting and when I looked to my fallen opponent, the stream of his soul was there.

As a sort of tribute to him, I manifested a flicker of Spirit Force, sent it to the soul, and let it flow, all the way into Shang Tsung’s hand.

Looking back, that was undoubtedly the stupidest and most rash decision I would ever make on that island. I knew I wanted to show some kind of respect, or perhaps attempt an early little strike on the sorcerer, but that wasn’t the way to do it.

It would have saved us all so much damn trouble, and not even just in the first tournament.

---

I was far more relaxed after my match, but not entirely. A man had just died because I won my match, but it wasn’t that big a thought. I somehow defeated him, despite disproportional amounts of experience. I’d still been hit, and soreness already crept up where I landed on my back. Yes, it hurt, and why wouldn’t it, but it wasn’t my greatest concern.

But my physical pains also added to my triumphant thoughts: I had won a battle. My first full and solo battle. My first proper Mortal Kombat match. It was a new beginning. I was a kombatant from then on.

These were the themes that dominated my mind for quite a while. Time passed… matches were decided… the sun began to set, painting the sky a picturesque orange shade.

Then one word from the sorcerer finally caught my ear.

“Scorpion!”

I jolted to full attention, just like with any other kombatant’s name. This was the only other match I’d wanted to see. And I’d only seen Scorpion himself once since I came to the island!

I looked across the crowd, suppressing excess excitement, looking for a spot of yellow…

…I almost hated being short. Even despite the mysterious growth spurt.

But finally, I saw Scorpion again. I tried to suppress a thrill, but I could only hold it in my stomach, an excited bundle of energy. I smiled to myself.

The sorcerer called to the other side. “Diaz Driscoll!”

The man who stepped up was middle-aged, with some hair already graying, yet he looked fit. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he taught martial arts back home.

They bowed to each other, with great respect.

“Fight!”

Like several other matches that day, neither contender made an immediate charge. There was careful circling, waiting, analyzing…

It was Diaz who made the first charge. He didn’t raise his fist until he was close, but Scorpion caught the punch anyway. Scorpion retaliated quickly, with a punch of his own, followed by a harsh-looking backhand, and a low kick towards Diaz’s knees.

Diaz did stumble from the last blow, but he rose quickly – far faster than any of the other opponents. He tried to attack Scorpion with an uppercut, but the man in yellow leaned away from it, and he raised his leg high, striking Diaz once and again when it came down.

Scorpion’s opponent struggled to rise, but he looked to Scorpion in awe.

“I’ve never felt such power in a single blow,” he marveled. “Truly, you are an exceptional fighter.”

Though the words were directed to Scorpion, I could not help but feel warmed.

Then I would hear him speak for the first time.

”Yield,” he offered. I shivered. There was an unusual sound in his voice, some hellish echo. It’s… difficult to describe it properly, but it reminded me of many things – a demonic hiss, swords scraping against each other, the crackle of a flame meant to frighten souls. I did shiver… but I was still not afraid.

I still had no reason to be.

“Yield,” he offered, “and you will be spared defeat.”

With some effort, Diaz rose, smiling. Smiling. He wasn’t afraid. It made me happy – proud, even.

He was not truly defeated. His soul could not be directly taken. I hoped it would not.

Diaz bowed. “I yield.”

“Scorpion wins!” Shang Tsung announced. “Flawless victory!”

I wanted to cheer. However, none of my friends – except for Cecilia, of course – would understand why.

But I was content with participating in a round of applause, grinning all the while.

---

It was a bit hard to believe that by the end of the day, nearly half the fighters were wiped out.

It only became more evident upon entering the dining hall. Fewer tables were set up, and the chatter from the night before was noticeably less.

Other than that, it didn’t feel much different. …Well… with the exception of places where blows had been landed that would surely feel stiff and bruised in the morning, and a darker, more real sense of what the tournament was really like.

I was very pleased when I watched Art sit down in his place – it was my sole confirmation that yes, we had all survived the first round.

I could scarcely believed I’d survived. The pain from my wounds, though significantly alleviated, was still there. The affected places still throbbed a bit. It didn’t seem as though the adrenaline rush didn’t let up, either – I still felt alert, even paranoid, and my hands trembled a bit as they reached to take food or tried to hold steady my goblet. At several points throughout the night, I would pause, watching the subtle ripples in my cup, and realize all over again just how frightened I was.

Then, much like the night before, Shang Tsung seemed to float to his throne. The moment I saw him come in, I focused more on my plate – I didn’t want to folly up again and have him pry more into my mind.

“Congratulations to all of you for completing the first round of Mortal Kombat,” he praised. “My condolences to those who may have lost a friend or acquaintance in some of today’s matches. The others who were defeated rest in a private part of the infirmary and will be sent home promptly.”

Yeah, right, I silently scoffed, narrowing my eyes at a piece of meat near my fork.Don’t think I didn’t see you… Several times, no less!

“Tomorrow, the second round begins before the palace gates, at the same time in the morning as today’s round. Tonight, you are free to wander the island’s grounds as you see fit. However, not all parts of this palace are accessible to contenders. While anyone who is sincerely lost will be graciously led back to his or her quarters, be warned that deliberate intrusion into these areas is forbidden – and the consequences could be dire,” he informed ominously.

I didn’t want to look up. I almost couldn’t. …Yet I did. My head shot up rather quickly to stare at him. I was afraid that he’d been looking at us, but it seemed that he regarded all remaining contenders with an equal warning. I almost wanted that to be true. Part of me sincerely did.

When he sat down, a haunting and evil picture of elegance, I took to checking the room for the significant kombatants.

I was here; Cecilia was next to me. In fact… she was actually nibbling a bit on a roll – likely in a half-hearted attempt to keep up appearances. Liu, Sonya and Johnny were still with us at the table. I couldn’t see Kano; I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dining with Goro again.

As usual, I did see Sub-Zero, his back still to us. The chairs around him weren’t empty – the tables were set up so that there would be no extra seats – but I could almost sense the air around his fellow contenders charged with unrequited tension. They feared him. And that was completely understandable. After the gruesome show he’d put on in finishing his opponent, it was no surprise that the other innocent fighters would want nothing to do with him.

I actually stared long enough to watch one man hurriedly finish his food and walk quickly to the exit. He was, evidently, among the most afraid. I was certain that if he hadn’t cared for appearances, he would have bolted.

But Sub-Zero was of no concern to me, at least for the moment. What really worried me was the lack of Raiden and Scorpion.

It was rather irrational to expect them to be visible in the dining hall, but I still couldn’t help but be a bit concerned. I’d seen both of them the night before at different times, and Scorpion was exceptional in his battle that day, from what little I’d seen, so…

I knew that in my human life, both were favorites of mine, but I still thought it was absolutely silly to be that worried about either of them.

Despite my fears, I was also confident that Raiden would show himself sooner or later – considering that he was advising us, the chosen, he pretty much had to.

Yet I sought, and I could not find.

The rest of dinner was uneventful; Shang Tsung didn’t even rise from his throne. He didn’t really look at us, either.

It was only after the fact that anything notable happened.

As we exited the dining hall and began to make our way towards the dormitories, I pulled Cecilia aside when I was certain we were alone.

“Yeah?”

I cleared my throat, anxious. Be straightforward… “I want to try and find Scorpion.”

“Okay,” she responded. I knew she’d be fine with it… “Do you know where he is?”

“…That’s the only thing,” I admitted. “I don’t. The game wasn’t very specific at all, and the movie put him in an entirely different role…”

“Ah, I see. What role was that?” she asked.

“Ah…” I hesitated. I liked the movie, believe me I did, but I didn’t like Scorpion’s portrayal… “Well, he and Sub-Zero both were servants to Shang Tsung, but evidently by a spell rather than by will, thank the Elder Gods. We would’ve seen them below the deck if this were the movieverse,” I finally answered.

“Okay,” my friend replied, nodding. “It’s a long way down the island, Gancena. Where do you think we should look?”

“Um… I’d like to check the forests. I mean, he’s bound to be alone, and… well, they’re just good places to be alone,” I guessed, shrugging. I grinned widely at my friend.

“All right, then.” Cecilia laid her hand on my shoulder and closed her eyes. I couldn’t restrain a sound of surprise when I witnessed the revealing of her wings. They were not feathery like bird wings. They were more fragmented, floating in a wing-like formation, shining a brilliant lavender.

It was good that we were alone.

“My God…” I muttered. The next thing I saw, there was a bright white light, and I felt as if I were flying to a lower level of the island so rapidly…

When it cleared, Cecilia stood before me again, and we were in the middle of a… surprisingly well-organized forest.

The trees were tall and lined up in a grid-like formation. I knew this came from the movie, when Johnny Cage would actually fight Scorpion. The place looked just like this.

“Huh,” Cecilia remarked, “this is different from the other forests.”

“Yeah…” I looked around. More to my right, I could see the peak of the island. It looked pretty menacing at night, but not overly frightening. I noticed that other layers of forest lay above where we were. “So… why here, Cecilia?”

“Well… What if I told you I thought I felt something?” she suggested, hiding her wings.

I blinked. “…Then I’d ask you what it felt like,” I answered, tipping my head to one side.

“It was different – different from your forces or Raiden’s or Shang Tsung’s. Just the feel of it… it feels like your opposite. And it was definitely the same feel I got from Scorpion when he fought.”

My ears pricked. “Wait, so you can sense his nether?”

Cecilia nodded and shrugged. “I’m sure you could too, with practice. You’re still getting used to using your Spirit Force, right?”

I conjured a small ball in my hand. “Well, creating projectiles doesn’t seem too hard,” I remarked. “Detection seems to be another field entirely. I mean, I could feel when Shang Tsung stole a soul, but I can’t say I recognize nether – I guess I didn’t think of it during the match.”

“Then next time you see Scorpion, try focusing on the feel you get off of him. Maybe that’ll work.”

I nodded. “Okay. I’ll give it a shot.”

The angel smiled. “Good.” Then she looked around. “So… follow the nether?”

I nodded again, stepping to her side. “Yeah. Lead me for now.”

She paused, and then she turned around, beckoning to me. “I think it’s coming from this direction.”

She proceeded and I followed, beginning to tingle with anticipation.

I didn’t bother to count how long or far we were traveling. I only watched as the trees passed us by, all in the same pattern, and the shadow of the island’s mountain remained right where it was.

“Scorpion, huh?” Cecilia finally said. “After hearing you talk about him for so long, we’re looking for him.”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“So… what kind of abilities does he have, being a spectre?”

Of course I would have told her of Scorpion’s origins. I didn’t know how much or how little she knew, but by her question, it was evident that I had told her he wasn’t… he wasn’t human. Not at that point, anyway.

“Well,” I began, “You already know about his trademark move – his Bloody Spear. Just about everyone who’s heard of him does. Then, being from the Netherrealm, many of his abilities are linked to the fires of Hell.”

Cecilia looked over her shoulder, seeming surprised. “Fire?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Oh, boy…” she murmured, looking away.

“What?”

“I don’t like fire. I’m more affiliated with ice,” she reminded, looking back at me.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’d rather be too cold than too hot.”

I wasn’t too surprised with that. After so many years in the Northeastern United States, I suppose the tolerance is just natural. In contrast, I had lived in the warmer Southern regions, with the majority of my early childhood taking place in the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest.

“I’m just the opposite, actually. I’d rather be hot. I’m more used to it.”

Cecilia nodded and was silent. Then, another sudden question: “He won’t attack unless we do, right?”

“Yes,” I chuckled. I dashed to walk at her side. “Cecilia, he won’t bite. He has no reason to attack us. In fact, I’m thinking that using his full ability here would be… noticeable. Amongst all these ordinary mortals, I can see him being more inconspicuous. At least until he’s got Sub-Zero alone.”

“Wait, why?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” I asked, looking her in the eye.

“Um… If you did, then…” she trailed.

I leaned closer, to whisper, despite the lack of need. “He’s trying to kill Sub-Zero, remember? Because he--“

“Oh! Yeah! That’s right!”

“There you go!” I exclaimed, placing my hand on Cecilia’s shoulder. “I told you that last night!”

“Oh, yeah… Sorry about that.”

“No, no, you’re good. You’ll pick it all up in time.”

By then, the grid-like forest had more or less passed, and there was vegetation on the ground, and a return to natural randomness.

Cecilia began to speak: “Yeah, just like you and— wait.”

She stopped, looking around. I tensed and stood still, scanning the area behind me… just in case. Moments went by in silence.

“What happened?” I whispered.

“…Sorry. False alarm,” she sighed. We began to walk again. “I thought he was nearby, but I think he was just here for a while.”

“Oh, I see,” I breathed. I moved my right arm in a circle. “That’s okay.”

We came to a narrow gap between two crowds of tall plants. Cecilia shoved through first, lifting a fern leaf to her left away from her. I followed, but she let it fall when I arrived, so it and the spore clusters underleaf brushed right across my face. I gave a quiet, frustrated sound and held the branch in place with one hand, dusting my face with the other.

Then I just happened to glance beyond the branch. It was a double-take, actually. But I saw the spot of yellow, and my heart jumped into my throat.

I was no good at judging distance, but I would have guessed that he was about twenty or thirty feet away from my hiding spot, moving right across my field of vision. He suddenly stopped, and I stood still.

“Gancena!” my friend called quietly. I lightly shook my head and looked to her. She was rustling right back to me. “What’s—“

I held my hand up. “Shh.” Then, I grinned.

She seemed to understand instantly, because she came closer and looked out as well. Scorpion had not moved. At least, he hadn’t seemed to.

“There he is,” I whispered. “…There he is.”

“Weren’t you going to say something to him?”

“I-I don’t know,” I admitted. Dammit… I’d practically turned into a dog chasing a car – and I’d somehow caught the car. I was there, and now I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

Fate was evidently more than prepared that night, though, for when I tried to shift forward, I fell over. There was a rock jutting from the ground, or Cecilia accidentally bumped into me, or I into her, or something, because I fell forward, yelping, and hit the ground. I shoved myself up and scrambled back into the safety of the fern covers.

“Oh, God,” I breathed, shuddering.

“You okay, Gancena?” Cecilia asked.

“Who’s there?” Scorpion questioned. “Reveal yourself!"

Cecilia and I were stunned silent. We were very still. I couldn’t even turn around.

“Cecilia…” I whispered.

“I won’t ask you again. Come out!”

“I’ll speak,” I volunteered, “but you gotta follow me, Cece.”

Then, with legs of lead, I turned and nudged my way into the open, where Scorpion already stood in a battle stance.

Thoughts of just what to say pulsed through my head as I faced the spectre directly for the first time. Compared to the glance in the dining hall the night before, I was incredibly nervous, even though he seemed to relax. Like with Raiden, I felt I had many things to say, but no knowledge of what they were.

And even if I did know them, they were meant for a much later time.

Holding my hands before me, I began, “We mean you no trouble.”

I was sure he believed me; his stance was gone.

“…I’m Gancena,” I introduced, “and this is my friend, Cecilia Aurion. Scorpion, right?”

Scorpion paused. “…Yes.”

I swallowed. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this without getting him mad… “So… um…” I stopped and glanced at the ground by my shoe, scratching behind my ear. “…So, what are you doing here?”

“It is none of your concern.” Ouch… I knew he’d say something like that.

“Ah, well,” I said. “I suppose then, that you just decided to make good on Shang Tsung’s offer to wander the island. And early, too, it seems.” I hesitated. I wondered if I was going to seem too intrusive with the remarks I had in mind. “You weren’t in the dining hall tonight.”

“I have no obligation to be present there,” he retorted.

Yeah, what with Kano and Goro, I added silently. “But you were there last night, and not even at a table. You were just… standing there, by the column. I saw you.”

I guessed that Cecilia had glanced over to me, surprised.

“Why does it matter to you?” he growled.

I shrugged, acting unfazed. “Well, I mean, we looked at each other last night, so I was just surprised when I didn’t see you...”

“If your concern was whether or not I was still here at all, then it’s been answered. I am here.”

Without another word or gesture, the spectre turned to leave. I didn’t interject, and neither did Cecilia. We watched him go.

“Wow… kind of unfriendly, huh?” Cecilia noted.

“Yeah, but I’m really not surprised,” I commented. “He’s got his own thing going.” I looked at her. “I’ll probably want to try and track him again tomorrow.”

“Did you try to sense the nether?” Cecilia asked.

I nearly jumped. “Oh, shit! I forgot!” I hissed.

Scorpion was now about as far away as when I’d first seen him.

“See you tomorrow!” I called. I figured that even if he heard me, he would keep walking, but to my surprise… he stopped and looked over his shoulder. Because of the distance, it was unclear what he was thinking, but he looked back and continued on his way soon enough.

I then hovered over the spot where he’d stood, and placed my hand over the grass.

I felt it the moment I began to focus. I felt the nether. It was a discomforting warmth, or at least it was meant to be so, and it felt… hostile. There was no other word to describe it. It felt like it wanted to attack my hand, scrape at it. I was certain that that wasn’t Scorpion’s fault; I assumed it was just the nature of the Netherrealm.

“Cece, I think I’ve got it,” I declared.

“Oh, good! …Hey, Gancena?”

“Yeah?”

“Um…” Cecilia paused, scratching the back of her head. “Do you think you can handle seeing Scorpion on your own tomorrow?”

“Ah… Wait, why wouldn’t you be coming?” I questioned.

“Well… I’ve already told you how I feel about fire,” she began, “and I really didn’t have much to say to him…”

I understood, but… “Well… I’m only really concerned about…” I looked towards the peak in the distance. “…getting here.”

“Oh, uh…”

I looked to my fidgeting friend. “Look, I’ll figure something out. I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“But what will you do?”

“Uh… I really don’t know. I’m guessing if all else fails, I might could somehow get Raiden to help… somehow,” I fumbled. It was undeniable: I had no clue what I wanted to do. “But if I can’t, that won’t be a big deal, either. I was only hoping I could do it anyway.”

“All right. So… now what?” Cecilia asked.

I rested my hands on her shoulders. “Let’s go back. To our room.”

Cecilia nodded. The lovely lavender wings became visible once again. The bright flash occurred, I felt us move, and we were inside the room.

I gave a long sigh, untied Lunavalora from my hips, placed it next to the bed farther from the window, and laid down.

I couldn’t remember the last time a bed felt that good.

Description
A Foreigner’s Tale, Book 1
A Mortal Kombat Fan Fiction
Rated T for violence, language, suggestive themes and potentially disturbing imagery
(This chapter is marked Mature for violent content.)
Chapter 5: Round One – Fight!

No matter how I look at it, I still believe that the first morning of the tournament came far too soon for my liking.

I woke up with faint sunlight in my eyes, the ribbon warm and clenched in my hands, and the sheets wrapped tightly around me like a cocoon. Cecilia leaned out the open window, likely taking in the scenery.

I laid there for some time, staring at my friend. She probably didn’t realize that I had opened my eyes, so I just remained, thinking…

That was one of my best friends – my absolute best friend in this dangerous world. Together, we would witness the wrath of Goro, the schemes of Shang Tsung… and the heroism of Liu Kang. Together, we would survive.

Only together…

I looked sleepily at the ribbon in my hand and thought briefly of Raiden.

He was a comfort to me, both in my old home and here in Earthrealm. At home, I’d pretended that in some way, he was with me when I felt like some part of my life would overwhelm me. The mere thought of the Thunder God would comfort me, inspire me, motivate me.

And now he would mentor me, Cecilia, Johnny, Sonya and Liu Kang.

Because we had to live. At least, that’s what I believed.

Oh, what a wonderful world…

I shifted, loosening the grip of the covers, and pushed myself up.

Cecilia turned to me. “You’re awake! Good morning, Gancena!”

“Good morning, Cece,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. When I reopened them, Cecilia sat on her noticeably neat bed, with the covers almost as perfect as they were the night before. “Made your bed, huh? How long were you waiting for me to wake up?”

“I was waiting all night, really. I never unmade the bed,” she answered.

Eh? I didn’t understand at the moment, so I only came to one conclusion. “…Were you up all night?”

Cecilia nodded, smiling. I scanned over her face. She looked as ready as ever to take on the tournament – or whatever else the world could throw at her. Her eyes were bright and bagless – she didn’t even seem tired.

“Why?” I asked.

“Oh, did you forget? I don’t sleep. I don’t need to,” she explained.

Then it all hit me – Cecilia was right. Not only that, but it also explained her lack of feasting the night before. Being an angel, she didn’t need to eat; she didn’t need to sleep.

She just… didn’t need to.

“Oh, yeah…” I mumbled, scratching my ear. “I remember now! You’d written that in several of your fics, right? Including that one back-and-forth roleplay we did?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t have to eat or sleep, but I can if I want – just so people won’t worry and think that I’m some kind of anorexic insomniac.” Cecilia then looked towards the window. “So it begins today, huh? Mortal Kombat…”

I nodded. “The last tournament before it all changes… one way or another.” I waited for my friend to face me before continuing. “Cecilia, this story is long and hard, but… damn, if it isn’t one of the best stories I’ve ever heard. I’ve found it so powerful and emotional… Now we’re a part of it… and it has begun.”

---

For some reason the first round is exceptionally livid in my mind. Perhaps it was because it was so surreal, because I was living Mortal Kombat. Or perhaps I just turned it all over in my head one too many times to start losing parts of it. Or perhaps I was observing the kombat very intently. Even to me, this is strange. Either way, I always seemed to remember it like it was just yesterday… Nevertheless, I am grateful that I retained these particular fights so well, especially after all these years, so that I may deliver them accurately and properly.

The sun had begun its ascent into the bright blue sky when all the contenders and many of the gruntish guards had gathered around the first arena, The Courtyard, to witness the first round of the tournament.

It was a very simple stadium, a large rectangular slab of stone roughly the size of a tennis court raised about… I’d say four feet above the ground – any spectator at the edge could easily place his or her hands upon it. More guards, these in metal masks and wielding bladed poles, stood on all sides of the platform at regular intervals.

Shang Tsung sat upon another throne, set and raised between two spectator areas. He rose.

“From this moment forward, my island will be your battleground.” He pointed two fingers in the general direction of our group, huddled near a corner farther away from the sorcerer. “Liu Kang! You will be first.” Then, he did the same to the other side of the arena. “Jamba Trook will be your opponent.”

Liu Kang stepped up and onto the arena, wearing the fighting outfit I was so familiar with – shirtless, a red band tied around his head, black pants with red stripes gracing the sides, and very basic wristbands. On the opposite end, a black man with long dreadlocks did the same.

In the customary gesture of respect, the two contenders bowed to each other.

“Let Mortal Kombat begin!” Shang Tsung declared. “Fight!”

The scuffle didn’t begin instantaneously, but the shouting from all sides of the area did. Instead, there was a tense pause, and both Liu and Jamba began to circle the arena, mirroring each other, slowly…

Suddenly, Jamba tensed and looked about to attack. Liu braced himself, but his opponent did not move. It had been a feint.

Our group was silent and intent on the match as the two continued in their calculating gap…

Then it began!

With a shout, Jamba lunged toward Liu Kang, his hand flat in an attempted chopping strike. Liu held up his arm, blocking the blow, and with his free hand, punched his opponent’s face.

Jamba recoiled and jumped a few feet backwards. He shook his head once, moved closer to Liu, and performed a side kick. He spun around, repeating the attack. Both kicks were thankfully dodged.

Liu suddenly leaped backwards again, much farther this time. The opponents began charging at each other, but then the Shaolin monk leaped within yards of Jamba, leg extended – a flying kick. The blow connected squarely and firmly to Jamba’s chest, and he fell backwards.

With another shout and a quick movement, Jamba swept his leg under Liu’s, successfully tripping him. He swiftly sprang to his feet and raised one leg, intending to strike Liu.

Even though I doubted he could even hear me, I couldn’t resist shouting, “Liu! Watch out!”

Jamba shot his leg towards Liu, but the monk rolled right out of the way and leaped to his feet when there was a fair distance between him and his opponent.

The other man glared, and he charged towards Liu one more time…

Liu Kang was prepared for this attack, for when Jamba was within range, he flipped in a way akin to a cartwheel, effectively striking him twice in the face. When he landed, he popped his opponent up several feet into the air with a powerful uppercut.

Jamba lay on his back, dazed and very likely to lose consciousness.

“Liu Kang wins!” Shang Tsung declared.

“Yeah!” I squealed, raising my fists. There was much joyful clamor from all directions – everyone was pleased at how awe-inspiring the first fight turned out. I watched and applauded as Liu Kang, Shaolin monk, member of the White Lotus Society and defender of Earthrealm descended the small flight of steps to rejoin us.

Many contenders gathered closer to congratulate him on his first victory, as did I.

“Liu! You were amazing!” I breathed.

Only then did he truly smile, laying a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you, Gancena.” Then he looked to the arena. “And my opponent was a good fighter himself.”

I turned… and witnessed the unnatural.

Above Jamba’s faintly moving form, I could clearly discern a green glow roughly the shape of a human form, like an aura. The heartbeat I looked, the energies seemed to be connected to Jamba, but then they separated and the warrior was perfectly still. As two guards moved in to carry Jamba off the battlefield, the ribbon of forces streamed away from the fallen contender… and into Shang Tsung’s oh-so slightly raised hand.

My gaze was locked on the scene before me. I knew what had happened.

I looked to Liu Kang, who also stared, brow a bit furrowed, as if he only thought he saw something. I turned my head to Cecilia and she also had her sights set on the sorcerer, eyes slightly wider than normal.

The first soul of the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament had been stolen, and the only true witnesses were Liu Kang, Cecilia, Shang Tsung and I.

---

The sun had made a noticeable move, though it was still not high, and I had counted three matches – and three more souls stolen, much to my horror – before Shang Tsung pointed his selective hand anywhere near us.

“Sonya Blade!” he called. My ears shot up in alarm, and I looked to the Special Forces agent. She wormed her way through the crowd of contenders and marched up the steps, taking her place near the center of the area – all without a word or even a glance.

She, too, was in a more familiar fighting outfit… and frankly, I didn’t know how she was comfortable showing her stomach, being clad in a green half-shirt and pants to match. Her hair was tied back with a simple black band.

The sorcerer then cast his selective hand back to the other side of the arena. “Jeremiah Smith!”

Onto the courtyard platform stepped a lean young man with short golden brown hair. He and Sonya bowed to each other, like Liu Kang and his opponent had done.

“Fight!” Shang Tsung commanded.

Sonya rushed towards Jeremiah, readying a high punch. However, the young man caught the strike. The lieutenant tried again with her free hand. It, too, was caught. Jeremiah smirked.

Sonya wouldn’t stand for it. With a grunt, she lifted her leg and kicked him firmly in the chest. Before Jeremiah could react, she spun around, delivering a harsh roundhouse kick to her opponent’s head.

For a moment, he lay on the concrete, and it seemed as though the match was over, but he suddenly rose, looking frustrated. He lunged and gripped Sonya around the waist. The next instant, the Special Forces agent was thrown unceremoniously over Jeremiah’s shoulder. The lieutenant landed on her back.

“Sonya!” Johnny and I shouted, almost in unison.

We knew she would not hear us, and yet a moment later, she rolled over on her stomach, glaring at the other contender. Then, she lifted herself into a handstand, her ankles positioned on either side of Jeremiah’s neck – the famous Leg Grab.

Jeremiah panicked a bit, grabbing her legs in an attempt to dislodge the grip, but before he could do anything else, she heaved, tossing the man through the air. While he flew, there was a noticeable sensation within the audience.

However, the poor soul landed on the edge of the arena, right on his back, and fell forward, out of my sight. But from where I was, I saw the terrible scrape just before he landed. There was a terrible shout of pain. I had to avert my eyes for a moment.

If that one injury was a shocker, then I couldn’t imagine what a true finisher would do to me.

Great. Beautiful.

There was a chorus of wincing and hissing, and I joined it. Even Sonya appeared to recoil slightly.

“Sonya wins!” Shang Tsung declared.

Through the crowd on the other side of the courtyard weaved two grunts, who stopped near where Jeremiah had fallen. The next thing I saw was their blended silhouettes moving away from the group entirely, heading towards some other part of the island. Jeremiah’s groans could still be heard when they were out of sight.

Only then did Sonya turn to leave, descending the stairs and returning to our sides.

“Sonya!” Cecilia whispered. “You kicked that guy’s ass!”

“You were awesome, despite… well…” I added.

She stared across the platform for a moment. “Yeah… a bit harder than I’d intended.”

“Huh, and now that guy’s gonna get the shaft,” Johnny remarked.

I glanced briefly at the sorcerer… and was only a bit surprised to see how unreadable his expression was. I thought that our distance was probably the reason it looked that way. I swallowed. He was probably going to wait, and possibly have his men finish him off. He was essentially waiting for another soul… I followed Sonya’s gaze. I listened past the murmurs of the crowd.

There were no more sounds from Jeremiah. He was already gone.

---

My heart seemed to pound a bit harder all throughout the next few matches, and I spent much of my time thinking. I was in a completely different universe. This was Mortal Kombat. I was going to fight today.

Did I make the right choice, coming here? Did I even have one?

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said…

When the sun was high, another call to our side was made:

“Johnny Cage!”

My ears shot up again; I couldn’t help but be startled.

“Well, here goes nothing,” the actor sighed. Then he turned to me, holding his iconic pair of sunglasses. “Hey, Gancena, would you mind holding these for me?”

“Not a problem,” I replied, taking the item. He turned, weaving his way towards the arena. He, like Liu, would fight shirtless, with black pants adorned with blue stripes and big white letters reading “CAGE” on the sides.

Once again, the sorcerer pointed towards the opposite end. “Roman Aviles!”

The man who stepped up was probably the bulkiest of all the opponents pitted against my friends thus far, but I would still say he was of average build. He was tanned, with a small mustache and a buzzcut of dark hair.

Another bowing exchange, as per custom.

“Fight!”

Roman made the charge, but Johnny attempted the first strike: a high kick. However, Roman ducked, and when Johnny’s leg settled back on the ground, he launched an uppercut, sending the actor staggering backwards.

Roman tried to land another punch, but Johnny ducked and countered with a fist of his own. Then he struck quickly, with a side kick followed by a roundhouse. Both were hard hits. Roman attempted a side kick of his own – a firm one, but a pretty slow one. And so it was dodged.

Then, Johnny lashed out with a hard punch to his opponent’s chest and took him down with a well-done sweep kick.

Roman struggled, but did not rise. He lay still, breathing heavily, within the moment. I always thought that Johnny’s final punch was what did the trick.

“Johnny Cage wins!”

Johnny backed out of the arena slowly at first, and I moved to meet him. Hey, he’d asked me to hold his sunglasses.

“Nice,” I complemented, unfolding the shades.

“I dunno, he didn’t seem to have that much skill in him,” he thought aloud, shrugging. My stomach clenched a little. I didn’t have that much skill, either…

I turned the glasses around in my hands and made a motion to put them on him – a friendly gesture, I hoped.

I hesitated in my motion a little, and he seemed to take the pause as a cue to reclaim and slip on his shades. I flushed. I’d meant to put them on him… Ah, whatever. It was the little awkward things that would otherwise make me antisocial.

But I was always willing to make an exception for certain groups, the kombatants among them.

My ears pricked, and I turned to check on Roman…

By then, his soul was already in Shang Tsung’s unholy hands.

---

Of our group, Cecilia and I were the only ones left to fight. Of all the more important kombatants (dammit, that seems kind of cruel to say…), not only did my friend and I have yet to compete, but so did Kano, Sub-Zero and Scorpion.

I have to admit, I was kind of excited at the thought of seeing them go at their opponents.

And speak of the devil…

“Kano!” Shang Tsung suddenly called. This summons startled me more than any other; and I didn’t have to look to know that it had also grabbed Sonya’s full attention in a chokehold.

He was pointing towards our side of the arena, yes… I tried to peer past others’ shoulders, trying to get a view of the crime lord…

Why did I have to be so short!?

I knew from my dang memory that both Liu Kang and Sonya were the shortest of the main contenders, both standing at five feet, ten inches. I wasn’t sure how tall Cecilia was, but she did seem to be around there. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken my own measurements…

Therefore, I only saw the man, already chuckling under his breath, when he stepped onto the fighting platform.

Then, to the other side: “Sergei Korolenko!”

A fair, tall man, his hair hidden by a grey beret, strode to center of the stage. He bowed to his opponent.

Kano did not, settling for spitting towards Sergei. The other warrior was not amused.

“Fight!”

Aggressive Kano made the first charge, throwing a dodged punch. When he swung his other fist, it knocked Sergei across the face. The larger man staggered backwards a bit, and then Kano did something surprising.

I saw the slight glow from his infrared eye seconds before he unleashed a short, but sharp-looking laser beam, which hit dangerously close to Sergei’s heart. Sergei himself shouted in agony.

Kano smirked, and then he took the opportunity to rush his foe and attempt a swift roundhouse. Sergei, likely loaded with adrenaline, backed away and did not hesitate to counter with a kick to Kano’s head. When the Australian thug was still downed, Sergei added another low kick to his counter.

Kano was not amused. I heard him growl. And then, he sprung up with an incredibly strong and vicious uppercut. It was astonishing – it sent the larger Sergei flying. He landed hard on his chest.

Shang Tsung suddenly rose from his throne. “Finish him!”

The moment Sergei rose – and the poor man could barely stand – Kano’s hand shot to his chest, like a fierce talon. There was a sharp howl of pain, and a collective gasps from the crowd, and a gruesome spray of blood.

Though there was some distance between Kano and I, I could still glimpse his expression. I’m certain that I would have been absolutely terrified if I’d been any closer.

He looked so feral.

Then, the evil mercenary yanked his hand once and ripped out Sergei’s still-beating heart. He held it high in victory, almost ecstatic.

“Kano wins!” The sorcerer proclaimed. “Fatality!”

There was a frightened sweeping amongst the crowd, and I, panting and nauseous, watched Sergei’s body as it fell into a pool of its own blood. Then I looked to the heart.

It did still beat, but whatever it would have sprayed had long since gone. I thought about it a little… the body was dead, yet the heart was not, at least not just yet. But no matter what, the soul – the eternal soul – was in Shang Tsung’s hands.

And the three would never be reunited. Ever.

---

Several fights passed, and the sun leaned more towards the west. The afternoon was still young.

I still commend myself for not puking my guts out during Kano’s fatality. After all, his seemed like next to nothing compared to what lay ahead…

“Sub-Zero!”

Oh, God, oh, God, oh God…

Again, I struggled to get a glimpse of the warrior as he made his way to the arena. I thought to myself. This was the Lin Kuei’s finest assassin. He was also someone’s son, someone else’s brother, and someone else’s killer…

Oh, God…

His opponent? “Ayo Kiprop!”

The man who entered the other side of the arena was dark-skinned, bald and lean. I got the feeling that he would be a soft-spoken person. Even when he exchanged bows with Sub-Zero, he seemed mild-mannered, while the Lin Kuei was more… businesslike. Not exactly nonchalant, like I’d originally thought. Yes, businesslike was the best word. It made sense, even.

Considering that his other job was to – get this – assassinate Shang Tsung.

I kid you not.

“Fight!”

There was considerably less noise from the watching contenders, but that from the guards was unchanged. The first moment was fairly still; there was no circling, but there was no movement, and both men took their stances.

It was actually Ayo who made the first charge, lashing out with a hook punch and a battle cry. The Lin Kuei caught his opponent’s strike, and then, he focused his Fa Jing – the forces behind ice powers in this world – and passed it on to Ayo’s forearm, completely freezing it. Ayo yowled at the sharp cold.

Sub-Zero did not hesitate to continue his attack, with three swift punches to Ayo’s face and a strong kick to the head. Drops of blood flew onto the nearby stone. The dazed Ayo struggled to rise, setting his frozen limb onto the ground as support and still thrashing to stand up. Yet, in a surprisingly swift movement, he swung his icy arm like a club and struck Sub-Zero’s stomach. The ice warrior recoiled.

Ayo took the opportunity with all his might, nearly springing to his feet. He attempted a jump kick, which missed Sub-Zero, but then he struck again with his frozen arm. Sub-Zero retaliated with a kick to his opponent’s chest, then an elbow to the back of his head. Ayo still struggled, but not as strongly. When he barely got to his feet, the call was made.

“Finish him!”

Ayo looked towards the sorcerer in fear, and then back at his opponent. The man swung his frozen arm one more time. It was a slow blow, and easily avoided. Then Sub-Zero came in for the final strike…

The Lin Kuei grabbed his opponent around the neck and yanked once, ripping out Ayo’s head and spine. His body fell to the ground, spilling an alarming amount of blood.

From the crowd, there were screams and shouts, and I heard even more people emptying their stomachs.

I could only look at the severed head, and only for a moment. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open as if to scream. Then I glanced at the spine, bloodied and – oh, dear God, it swayed!

I had to look away. My instincts were strong and my stomach was weakening; I had no choice.

I shut out as much of the noise as I could and focused on breathing. I panted, deeply but quickly, and I had to swallow two or three times to control the urge to vomit. Even then, my stomach was a frantic bundle of nerves that just wanted to get out. They wanted out!

---

There was almost no time between Sub-Zero’s match and the next. I was still panting, eyes shut trying to calm my stomach and clear my mind when the next name was called…

“Cecilia Aurion!”

My heart nearly jumped out of my throat, and I drew in a sharp breath, looking right at my friend. She herself seemed a bit dazed from witnessing the carnage, but beckoned me over with her white-gloved hand.

I approached her and she whispered, voice quavering: “I… I’m guessing that weapons aren’t used in tournaments?”

“Not conventionally, anyway,” I answered, calming a bit, “and at least not on Earthrealm, it seems. Did you want me to hold Razerglaze?”

The angel unlatched her sword and its sheath from her gold chain belt and placed it in my extended hands. “Yeah. My grieves should be enough, and if worse comes to worse, well…” she trailed.

I nodded, catching the message. Mana.

She then turned to the arena steps, sighing:

“Here I go! Wish me luck!”

“Good luck, Cece!” I exclaimed.

I used the moment to look over Cecilia’s rapier. A mystical sword, made of cosmic material, and colored blue, a perfect match to her primary mana element.

Which was funny, considering who had just fought.

“Minako Takanaka!”

Cecilia’s opponent was a short, slender Oriental girl – I daresay she was more or less my size. She had an air of fierceness about her. Her bow to Cecilia was full-hearted and respectful.

“Fight!”

Cecilia appeared to look over her opponent two or three times before moving forward with a high kick. However, Minako grabbed her leg and shoved her to the ground with a brave yell. She immediately tried to follow up with a fist to where my friend lay, but the angel rolled aside, and the blow hit the stone. Surprisingly, Minako was unfazed.

Cecilia did not completely rise, she instead delivered a fast and hard kick to the head, and Minako fell. The angel sprung to her feet.

For a moment, her opponent did not rise. Had Cecilia already won? I could understand that her grieves would put some extra force behind every blow, but could it knock someone out that easily?

There was still a sensation from the guards, but the contenders were more or less silent. Cecilia stared at the downed Minako, apparently wondering whether or not to relax her stance.

Suddenly, Minako stirred. The noise rose again.

Almost instantly, Minako was back on her feet, and she charged at Cecilia. She was swift, but the angel was swifter – Cecilia caught the punch Minako threw.

Cecilia didn’t hesitate. She raised her leg and struck Minako in the chest, sending her staggering. She followed up with a side kick to the abdomen, and a roundhouse that was likely aimed at Minako’s head but hit her shoulder. Then, the back of Cecilia’s hand struck Minako across the face. She fell, and again she was still.

The entire arena waited, in case Minako would stir again. It was a far longer pause than the first, and still nothing happened. It was certain: Minako was down and out.

“Cecilia wins!”

I cheered. Despite everything that had happened and what the end of any match meant, I actually cheered.

But I slowed and then ceased when I caught Cecilia staring at her fallen opponent, then glancing to the sorcerer and back. Then I saw the green stream and I was silent and solemn.

Only when it was done did my friend leave the arena, glancing behind her every so often. She seemed pensive, undoubtedly over what she had just seen.

When she looked back at me, I held Razerglaze forward. “Well done, Cecilia,” I praised.

“Thank you,” she replied, taking her sword. “You still have to fight, don’t you?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Well, I hope you win!”

I swallowed. “But can I win, Cecilia? With my skill?”

My friend placed her hands on her hips. “Hey, hey. Don’t you remember what Raiden said? You’ll make it as far as you believe you will. You’ve got to believe in yourself, Gancena!”

I looked her in the eye. Believe in myself… I never really knew if I believed in myself. I always thought I was just… there. Acting. Doing. I knew very well of faith in others – any kombatant was better than me, and could therefore win a match, for example – but faith in myself seemed… outlandish. To me, it was conceited, to a degree that I would never dare reach. Laughable, even.

Then I felt another hand on my left shoulder. Surprised, I looked to its owner – Liu Kang.

“Cecilia’s right, you know,” he added, quietly.

Then Cecilia’s hand reached for my free shoulder, and for a heartbeat, I was certain that it was all true.

For a heartbeat, I was certain I had that faith.

Even just for a heartbeat…

---

A longer pause this time, but I didn’t really bother to count the number of matches. But it was the most intense lull of all – for me, anyway. Of our little group of chosen champions, I was the only one who had yet to fight. Each time a match started up, I expected the sorcerer to call my name, and each time he didn’t, I sighed… I was relieved that I was completely safe for one more round, but I still was tense. I wanted to get it over with already.

Or did I? What if I lost? Then my soul would be trapped within him for good! Or at least until—

No. No. No. Don’t think that way, I told myself, or it will surely happen!

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said…

Then, at some point, the sorcerer’s two pointed fingers coursed noticeably close to me…

“Gancena!”

The call of my name garnered my strongest and most visible reaction yet. My ears shot up. I felt an intense jolt. My heart tried to escape through my throat.

I sobered from the initial startle soon enough, however, and started a nervous walk towards the arena.

“Hey, Gancena! Wait!” Cecilia called.

I was more than glad to turn back to her, right when she was behind me. “Your sword…”

I looked down, and Lunavalora did hang by my left hip. “Oh, yeah,” I murmured, reaching for the sheath. I hesitated, thinking that undoing the belt that held it would be more efficient.

As I removed it, I wondered very briefly. I knew I never explicitly gave this belt to my character. It was simple and black, and crafted of rough leather. A well-tied link of rope held Lunavalora’s sheath to the belt.

Like she had done to me, I held the sword, belt and all, and placed it in Cecilia’s open hands.

“Good luck, Gancena. You can do it,” she added, winking.

I felt a tiny burst of confidence in the fact that she, at least, had faith in me. I felt the ribbon brush my throat, more pronounced than before.

I finally stepped onto the platform and waited for my opponent.

Shang Tsung called to the opposing end: “Adam Johnston!”

The man who faced me was lean and of a fair complexion, with dark hair and eyes. I could never figure out what sort of feel he gave off, mostly because I was half-tense for battle and half-ready to drown in my own nerves.

This was war.

“Fight!”

Exhaling audibly, I took a stance, checking over my fists again – yes, they were correct this time.

Remember what Raiden said, remember what Raiden said—Oh, God!

By the end of my thought Adam had already begun to charge towards me, and the man tackled me to the ground before I could react. I was completely startled, taken off guard, and so I focused a small amount of Spirit Force into my hand and struck Adam across the face.

I scrambled away and stood up, resuming my stance. When Adam rose, I lashed out with a right hook punch, followed by a left. Both missed.

But when I attempted a side kick – swift, but not quite strong – it connected.

Adam retaliated with a hook punch of his own, to my left cheek. I could almost feel the adrenaline spike, and a metallic taste got into my mouth – not just blood, though: the coppery tang of anticipation, be it for good or bad.

Slightly dazed, still tense, and filled to the brim with unchecked chaotic energy, I did the first thing I could think of: I thrust my hand in Adam’s face, colliding with his nose, and let a small flash of Spirit Force escape through my palm. He shouted, surprised and blinded.

I knew that was my opening, and I had to act then. I unleashed my first long chain of attacks: a jump kick to the head, a very unpolished roundhouse to the chest, two hook punches to the face, a another side kick – a bit stronger this time – to his abdomen.

Somehow, Adam still stood. I crouched and quickly swept my leg underneath his, sending him falling backwards. He hit the ground loudly – or perhaps that seemed so because I was the closest witness.

Tense moments passed. Adam did not move.

I kept my stance. I was sure that like Cecilia’s opponent, Adam would rise, and the fight would go on…

“Gancena wins!” declared the sorcerer.

My ears shot up again, my fists still clenched. …I won? I won? I won? …I won? …That easily? No way. Impossible. Not at my pathetic level. It couldn’t be. Was it a fluke? Did something get rigged?

I was more confused than elated as the cheers erupted from the guards and applause poured from the crowd – just like with any match.

But I turned back and saw my friends. All but Cecilia applauded. Instead, the angel was cheering, holding my sword high. I timidly raised my hands, facing them, as a gesture of acknowledgement and victory.

Then I vaguely sensed the forces shifting and when I looked to my fallen opponent, the stream of his soul was there.

As a sort of tribute to him, I manifested a flicker of Spirit Force, sent it to the soul, and let it flow, all the way into Shang Tsung’s hand.

Looking back, that was undoubtedly the stupidest and most rash decision I would ever make on that island. I knew I wanted to show some kind of respect, or perhaps attempt an early little strike on the sorcerer, but that wasn’t the way to do it.

It would have saved us all so much damn trouble, and not even just in the first tournament.

---

I was far more relaxed after my match, but not entirely. A man had just died because I won my match, but it wasn’t that big a thought. I somehow defeated him, despite disproportional amounts of experience. I’d still been hit, and soreness already crept up where I landed on my back. Yes, it hurt, and why wouldn’t it, but it wasn’t my greatest concern.

But my physical pains also added to my triumphant thoughts: I had won a battle. My first full and solo battle. My first proper Mortal Kombat match. It was a new beginning. I was a kombatant from then on.

These were the themes that dominated my mind for quite a while. Time passed… matches were decided… the sun began to set, painting the sky a picturesque orange shade.

Then one word from the sorcerer finally caught my ear.

“Scorpion!”

I jolted to full attention, just like with any other kombatant’s name. This was the only other match I’d wanted to see. And I’d only seen Scorpion himself once since I came to the island!

I looked across the crowd, suppressing excess excitement, looking for a spot of yellow…

…I almost hated being short. Even despite the mysterious growth spurt.

But finally, I saw Scorpion again. I tried to suppress a thrill, but I could only hold it in my stomach, an excited bundle of energy. I smiled to myself.

The sorcerer called to the other side. “Diaz Driscoll!”

The man who stepped up was middle-aged, with some hair already graying, yet he looked fit. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he taught martial arts back home.

They bowed to each other, with great respect.

“Fight!”

Like several other matches that day, neither contender made an immediate charge. There was careful circling, waiting, analyzing…

It was Diaz who made the first charge. He didn’t raise his fist until he was close, but Scorpion caught the punch anyway. Scorpion retaliated quickly, with a punch of his own, followed by a harsh-looking backhand, and a low kick towards Diaz’s knees.

Diaz did stumble from the last blow, but he rose quickly – far faster than any of the other opponents. He tried to attack Scorpion with an uppercut, but the man in yellow leaned away from it, and he raised his leg high, striking Diaz once and again when it came down.

Scorpion’s opponent struggled to rise, but he looked to Scorpion in awe.

“I’ve never felt such power in a single blow,” he marveled. “Truly, you are an exceptional fighter.”

Though the words were directed to Scorpion, I could not help but feel warmed.

Then I would hear him speak for the first time.

”Yield,” he offered. I shivered. There was an unusual sound in his voice, some hellish echo. It’s… difficult to describe it properly, but it reminded me of many things – a demonic hiss, swords scraping against each other, the crackle of a flame meant to frighten souls. I did shiver… but I was still not afraid.

I still had no reason to be.

“Yield,” he offered, “and you will be spared defeat.”

With some effort, Diaz rose, smiling. Smiling. He wasn’t afraid. It made me happy – proud, even.

He was not truly defeated. His soul could not be directly taken. I hoped it would not.

Diaz bowed. “I yield.”

“Scorpion wins!” Shang Tsung announced. “Flawless victory!”

I wanted to cheer. However, none of my friends – except for Cecilia, of course – would understand why.

But I was content with participating in a round of applause, grinning all the while.

---

It was a bit hard to believe that by the end of the day, nearly half the fighters were wiped out.

It only became more evident upon entering the dining hall. Fewer tables were set up, and the chatter from the night before was noticeably less.

Other than that, it didn’t feel much different. …Well… with the exception of places where blows had been landed that would surely feel stiff and bruised in the morning, and a darker, more real sense of what the tournament was really like.

I was very pleased when I watched Art sit down in his place – it was my sole confirmation that yes, we had all survived the first round.

I could scarcely believed I’d survived. The pain from my wounds, though significantly alleviated, was still there. The affected places still throbbed a bit. It didn’t seem as though the adrenaline rush didn’t let up, either – I still felt alert, even paranoid, and my hands trembled a bit as they reached to take food or tried to hold steady my goblet. At several points throughout the night, I would pause, watching the subtle ripples in my cup, and realize all over again just how frightened I was.

Then, much like the night before, Shang Tsung seemed to float to his throne. The moment I saw him come in, I focused more on my plate – I didn’t want to folly up again and have him pry more into my mind.

“Congratulations to all of you for completing the first round of Mortal Kombat,” he praised. “My condolences to those who may have lost a friend or acquaintance in some of today’s matches. The others who were defeated rest in a private part of the infirmary and will be sent home promptly.”

Yeah, right, I silently scoffed, narrowing my eyes at a piece of meat near my fork.Don’t think I didn’t see you… Several times, no less!

“Tomorrow, the second round begins before the palace gates, at the same time in the morning as today’s round. Tonight, you are free to wander the island’s grounds as you see fit. However, not all parts of this palace are accessible to contenders. While anyone who is sincerely lost will be graciously led back to his or her quarters, be warned that deliberate intrusion into these areas is forbidden – and the consequences could be dire,” he informed ominously.

I didn’t want to look up. I almost couldn’t. …Yet I did. My head shot up rather quickly to stare at him. I was afraid that he’d been looking at us, but it seemed that he regarded all remaining contenders with an equal warning. I almost wanted that to be true. Part of me sincerely did.

When he sat down, a haunting and evil picture of elegance, I took to checking the room for the significant kombatants.

I was here; Cecilia was next to me. In fact… she was actually nibbling a bit on a roll – likely in a half-hearted attempt to keep up appearances. Liu, Sonya and Johnny were still with us at the table. I couldn’t see Kano; I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dining with Goro again.

As usual, I did see Sub-Zero, his back still to us. The chairs around him weren’t empty – the tables were set up so that there would be no extra seats – but I could almost sense the air around his fellow contenders charged with unrequited tension. They feared him. And that was completely understandable. After the gruesome show he’d put on in finishing his opponent, it was no surprise that the other innocent fighters would want nothing to do with him.

I actually stared long enough to watch one man hurriedly finish his food and walk quickly to the exit. He was, evidently, among the most afraid. I was certain that if he hadn’t cared for appearances, he would have bolted.

But Sub-Zero was of no concern to me, at least for the moment. What really worried me was the lack of Raiden and Scorpion.

It was rather irrational to expect them to be visible in the dining hall, but I still couldn’t help but be a bit concerned. I’d seen both of them the night before at different times, and Scorpion was exceptional in his battle that day, from what little I’d seen, so…

I knew that in my human life, both were favorites of mine, but I still thought it was absolutely silly to be that worried about either of them.

Despite my fears, I was also confident that Raiden would show himself sooner or later – considering that he was advising us, the chosen, he pretty much had to.

Yet I sought, and I could not find.

The rest of dinner was uneventful; Shang Tsung didn’t even rise from his throne. He didn’t really look at us, either.

It was only after the fact that anything notable happened.

As we exited the dining hall and began to make our way towards the dormitories, I pulled Cecilia aside when I was certain we were alone.

“Yeah?”

I cleared my throat, anxious. Be straightforward… “I want to try and find Scorpion.”

“Okay,” she responded. I knew she’d be fine with it… “Do you know where he is?”

“…That’s the only thing,” I admitted. “I don’t. The game wasn’t very specific at all, and the movie put him in an entirely different role…”

“Ah, I see. What role was that?” she asked.

“Ah…” I hesitated. I liked the movie, believe me I did, but I didn’t like Scorpion’s portrayal… “Well, he and Sub-Zero both were servants to Shang Tsung, but evidently by a spell rather than by will, thank the Elder Gods. We would’ve seen them below the deck if this were the movieverse,” I finally answered.

“Okay,” my friend replied, nodding. “It’s a long way down the island, Gancena. Where do you think we should look?”

“Um… I’d like to check the forests. I mean, he’s bound to be alone, and… well, they’re just good places to be alone,” I guessed, shrugging. I grinned widely at my friend.

“All right, then.” Cecilia laid her hand on my shoulder and closed her eyes. I couldn’t restrain a sound of surprise when I witnessed the revealing of her wings. They were not feathery like bird wings. They were more fragmented, floating in a wing-like formation, shining a brilliant lavender.

It was good that we were alone.

“My God…” I muttered. The next thing I saw, there was a bright white light, and I felt as if I were flying to a lower level of the island so rapidly…

When it cleared, Cecilia stood before me again, and we were in the middle of a… surprisingly well-organized forest.

The trees were tall and lined up in a grid-like formation. I knew this came from the movie, when Johnny Cage would actually fight Scorpion. The place looked just like this.

“Huh,” Cecilia remarked, “this is different from the other forests.”

“Yeah…” I looked around. More to my right, I could see the peak of the island. It looked pretty menacing at night, but not overly frightening. I noticed that other layers of forest lay above where we were. “So… why here, Cecilia?”

“Well… What if I told you I thought I felt something?” she suggested, hiding her wings.

I blinked. “…Then I’d ask you what it felt like,” I answered, tipping my head to one side.

“It was different – different from your forces or Raiden’s or Shang Tsung’s. Just the feel of it… it feels like your opposite. And it was definitely the same feel I got from Scorpion when he fought.”

My ears pricked. “Wait, so you can sense his nether?”

Cecilia nodded and shrugged. “I’m sure you could too, with practice. You’re still getting used to using your Spirit Force, right?”

I conjured a small ball in my hand. “Well, creating projectiles doesn’t seem too hard,” I remarked. “Detection seems to be another field entirely. I mean, I could feel when Shang Tsung stole a soul, but I can’t say I recognize nether – I guess I didn’t think of it during the match.”

“Then next time you see Scorpion, try focusing on the feel you get off of him. Maybe that’ll work.”

I nodded. “Okay. I’ll give it a shot.”

The angel smiled. “Good.” Then she looked around. “So… follow the nether?”

I nodded again, stepping to her side. “Yeah. Lead me for now.”

She paused, and then she turned around, beckoning to me. “I think it’s coming from this direction.”

She proceeded and I followed, beginning to tingle with anticipation.

I didn’t bother to count how long or far we were traveling. I only watched as the trees passed us by, all in the same pattern, and the shadow of the island’s mountain remained right where it was.

“Scorpion, huh?” Cecilia finally said. “After hearing you talk about him for so long, we’re looking for him.”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“So… what kind of abilities does he have, being a spectre?”

Of course I would have told her of Scorpion’s origins. I didn’t know how much or how little she knew, but by her question, it was evident that I had told her he wasn’t… he wasn’t human. Not at that point, anyway.

“Well,” I began, “You already know about his trademark move – his Bloody Spear. Just about everyone who’s heard of him does. Then, being from the Netherrealm, many of his abilities are linked to the fires of Hell.”

Cecilia looked over her shoulder, seeming surprised. “Fire?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Oh, boy…” she murmured, looking away.

“What?”

“I don’t like fire. I’m more affiliated with ice,” she reminded, looking back at me.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’d rather be too cold than too hot.”

I wasn’t too surprised with that. After so many years in the Northeastern United States, I suppose the tolerance is just natural. In contrast, I had lived in the warmer Southern regions, with the majority of my early childhood taking place in the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest.

“I’m just the opposite, actually. I’d rather be hot. I’m more used to it.”

Cecilia nodded and was silent. Then, another sudden question: “He won’t attack unless we do, right?”

“Yes,” I chuckled. I dashed to walk at her side. “Cecilia, he won’t bite. He has no reason to attack us. In fact, I’m thinking that using his full ability here would be… noticeable. Amongst all these ordinary mortals, I can see him being more inconspicuous. At least until he’s got Sub-Zero alone.”

“Wait, why?”

“Didn’t I tell you?” I asked, looking her in the eye.

“Um… If you did, then…” she trailed.

I leaned closer, to whisper, despite the lack of need. “He’s trying to kill Sub-Zero, remember? Because he--“

“Oh! Yeah! That’s right!”

“There you go!” I exclaimed, placing my hand on Cecilia’s shoulder. “I told you that last night!”

“Oh, yeah… Sorry about that.”

“No, no, you’re good. You’ll pick it all up in time.”

By then, the grid-like forest had more or less passed, and there was vegetation on the ground, and a return to natural randomness.

Cecilia began to speak: “Yeah, just like you and— wait.”

She stopped, looking around. I tensed and stood still, scanning the area behind me… just in case. Moments went by in silence.

“What happened?” I whispered.

“…Sorry. False alarm,” she sighed. We began to walk again. “I thought he was nearby, but I think he was just here for a while.”

“Oh, I see,” I breathed. I moved my right arm in a circle. “That’s okay.”

We came to a narrow gap between two crowds of tall plants. Cecilia shoved through first, lifting a fern leaf to her left away from her. I followed, but she let it fall when I arrived, so it and the spore clusters underleaf brushed right across my face. I gave a quiet, frustrated sound and held the branch in place with one hand, dusting my face with the other.

Then I just happened to glance beyond the branch. It was a double-take, actually. But I saw the spot of yellow, and my heart jumped into my throat.

I was no good at judging distance, but I would have guessed that he was about twenty or thirty feet away from my hiding spot, moving right across my field of vision. He suddenly stopped, and I stood still.

“Gancena!” my friend called quietly. I lightly shook my head and looked to her. She was rustling right back to me. “What’s—“

I held my hand up. “Shh.” Then, I grinned.

She seemed to understand instantly, because she came closer and looked out as well. Scorpion had not moved. At least, he hadn’t seemed to.

“There he is,” I whispered. “…There he is.”

“Weren’t you going to say something to him?”

“I-I don’t know,” I admitted. Dammit… I’d practically turned into a dog chasing a car – and I’d somehow caught the car. I was there, and now I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

Fate was evidently more than prepared that night, though, for when I tried to shift forward, I fell over. There was a rock jutting from the ground, or Cecilia accidentally bumped into me, or I into her, or something, because I fell forward, yelping, and hit the ground. I shoved myself up and scrambled back into the safety of the fern covers.

“Oh, God,” I breathed, shuddering.

“You okay, Gancena?” Cecilia asked.

“Who’s there?” Scorpion questioned. “Reveal yourself!"

Cecilia and I were stunned silent. We were very still. I couldn’t even turn around.

“Cecilia…” I whispered.

“I won’t ask you again. Come out!”

“I’ll speak,” I volunteered, “but you gotta follow me, Cece.”

Then, with legs of lead, I turned and nudged my way into the open, where Scorpion already stood in a battle stance.

Thoughts of just what to say pulsed through my head as I faced the spectre directly for the first time. Compared to the glance in the dining hall the night before, I was incredibly nervous, even though he seemed to relax. Like with Raiden, I felt I had many things to say, but no knowledge of what they were.

And even if I did know them, they were meant for a much later time.

Holding my hands before me, I began, “We mean you no trouble.”

I was sure he believed me; his stance was gone.

“…I’m Gancena,” I introduced, “and this is my friend, Cecilia Aurion. Scorpion, right?”

Scorpion paused. “…Yes.”

I swallowed. I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this without getting him mad… “So… um…” I stopped and glanced at the ground by my shoe, scratching behind my ear. “…So, what are you doing here?”

“It is none of your concern.” Ouch… I knew he’d say something like that.

“Ah, well,” I said. “I suppose then, that you just decided to make good on Shang Tsung’s offer to wander the island. And early, too, it seems.” I hesitated. I wondered if I was going to seem too intrusive with the remarks I had in mind. “You weren’t in the dining hall tonight.”

“I have no obligation to be present there,” he retorted.

Yeah, what with Kano and Goro, I added silently. “But you were there last night, and not even at a table. You were just… standing there, by the column. I saw you.”

I guessed that Cecilia had glanced over to me, surprised.

“Why does it matter to you?” he growled.

I shrugged, acting unfazed. “Well, I mean, we looked at each other last night, so I was just surprised when I didn’t see you...”

“If your concern was whether or not I was still here at all, then it’s been answered. I am here.”

Without another word or gesture, the spectre turned to leave. I didn’t interject, and neither did Cecilia. We watched him go.

“Wow… kind of unfriendly, huh?” Cecilia noted.

“Yeah, but I’m really not surprised,” I commented. “He’s got his own thing going.” I looked at her. “I’ll probably want to try and track him again tomorrow.”

“Did you try to sense the nether?” Cecilia asked.

I nearly jumped. “Oh, shit! I forgot!” I hissed.

Scorpion was now about as far away as when I’d first seen him.

“See you tomorrow!” I called. I figured that even if he heard me, he would keep walking, but to my surprise… he stopped and looked over his shoulder. Because of the distance, it was unclear what he was thinking, but he looked back and continued on his way soon enough.

I then hovered over the spot where he’d stood, and placed my hand over the grass.

I felt it the moment I began to focus. I felt the nether. It was a discomforting warmth, or at least it was meant to be so, and it felt… hostile. There was no other word to describe it. It felt like it wanted to attack my hand, scrape at it. I was certain that that wasn’t Scorpion’s fault; I assumed it was just the nature of the Netherrealm.

“Cece, I think I’ve got it,” I declared.

“Oh, good! …Hey, Gancena?”

“Yeah?”

“Um…” Cecilia paused, scratching the back of her head. “Do you think you can handle seeing Scorpion on your own tomorrow?”

“Ah… Wait, why wouldn’t you be coming?” I questioned.

“Well… I’ve already told you how I feel about fire,” she began, “and I really didn’t have much to say to him…”

I understood, but… “Well… I’m only really concerned about…” I looked towards the peak in the distance. “…getting here.”

“Oh, uh…”

I looked to my fidgeting friend. “Look, I’ll figure something out. I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“But what will you do?”

“Uh… I really don’t know. I’m guessing if all else fails, I might could somehow get Raiden to help… somehow,” I fumbled. It was undeniable: I had no clue what I wanted to do. “But if I can’t, that won’t be a big deal, either. I was only hoping I could do it anyway.”

“All right. So… now what?” Cecilia asked.

I rested my hands on her shoulders. “Let’s go back. To our room.”

Cecilia nodded. The lovely lavender wings became visible once again. The bright flash occurred, I felt us move, and we were inside the room.

I gave a long sigh, untied Lunavalora from my hips, placed it next to the bed farther from the window, and laid down.

I couldn’t remember the last time a bed felt that good.