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>During the Battle of Nemsai...

Two warriors fall from a bleak sky and hit the ground, their impact kicking up sand and dust which slowly settles around them. As they pick themselves up, they look around briefly before setting their eyes upon each other once more. They both know the strange realm they have been transported to, though only one of them has been to this place before. It is Duat, a small and oft-forgotten corner of the Netherrealm where the ancient Egyptians and the gods they worshipped once had great influence over. In the distance, across rivers of black water and silhouetted among twisted mountains, pyramid-like shapes can be seen: structures so old that their purpose has long since been forgotten.

The dismal sky and its thunderous rumblings are of no concern to either of them, nor are the ever-burning fires that dot the unearthly landscape. They only have eyes for each other, and their gazes are filled with burning hatred. Their names are Rain, a prince of Edenia and a traitor to his realm, member of the Deadly Alliance, and Akayama Kaito of Earthrealm, a former wanderer turned leader of the New Defenders. Their history stretches back more than twenty years as rivals in many forms.

Having met once more in the city-state of Nemsai, their conflict resumed, with one key difference: both of them have been exposed to the waters of the Wellspring of Shun-Koto, magical waters which impart both healing and visions. Both Rain and Kaito possess similar abilities when it comes to manipulation of water, and both of them have merged with these magical waters, super-charging their vitality. They both feel as though at their peak, strong and certain of mind, their blood boiling with fury. For Kaito, the crimes of the Deadly Alliance, particularly the death of his friend Liu Kang, as well as attacking Turana, have given him all the motivation in the world to annihilate his foe. As for Rain, the prideful and arrogant Edenian nobleman needs little more reason to face Kaito, for he has long desired to prove his superiority over the upstart Earthrealmer.

Kaito understands why Turana sent them here to Duat. In this place there is no trace of the magical water, meaning that it will eventually work itself out of their system. He raises his fists and prepares to resume his battle with his purple-clad foe, but then suddenly falters and falls upon a knee. His eyes go wide as he experiences a vision, one so strong and so clear that it removes him completely from the moment.

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>>3988993

He sees a red landscape, a desert wasteland surrounded on all sides by tall mountains. The crimson skies part and swirl around a pillar of flame reaching up to the heavens emerging from the peak of a tiered pyramid. All around this massive structure rages a war as a sea of faces, some strange and some familiar, do battle. Countless warriors shout with all the fury of their hearts and souls and the sounds of carnage echo in his ears: every punch, each clash of blades, all of the screams of the dying. He looks down at his blood-stained hands and realizes that he is looking through his own eyes, though the events around him have yet to pass. A single word rings throughout his mind, in a voice he does not recognize:

"Armageddon... at last."

Suddenly, Rain slams his knee into Kaito's face, knocking him down. With the healing water churning through his system, Kaito is undamaged, but the attack still hurts and knocks him out of his trance. He attempts to defend himself but Rain kicks him once more, rolling him onto his side. He gasps as the prince gets on top of him, wrapping an arm around his neck.

Ever the arrogant one, Rain cannot resist the opportunity to taunt his opponent. "Feeling weak? That's because you are, and always have been. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time!"

>Break his hold and throw him over your shoulder
>Kick back and sent you both onto the ground
>Teleport away and gain some distance
>Try to talk to him and goad him into making a mistake
>Other

>>3988996
>Break his hold and throw him over your shoulder

>>3988996
>Kick back and sent you both onto the ground

>>3988996
>>Kick back and sent you both onto the ground

>>3988996
>Break his hold and throw him over your shoulder
Merry Christmas Damashi!

you can meaty in mk11

>>3988996
>>Try to talk to him and goad him into making a mistake

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>>3988998
>>3989003
>>3989004
>>3989005

Gritting his teeth, as Rain's arm tightens around his neck, Kaito digs his feet into the ground and stands up, taking Rain with him. He leans forward with great force, intending to hurtle his enemy from his shoulders, but his grip forces them both to flip forwards onto the cold, hard ground. Bringing up his elbow, Kaito slams it into Rain's chest, forcing a breath out of the edenian prince's lungs as the human rolls forward onto his feet. Rain struggles for a moment to get back up, but then Kaito charges him, tackling him up against a nearby half-buried boulder.

As he brings an arm back, ready to slam his fist into Rain's elegant mask, another vision suddenly causes him to react and miss the attack, slamming his hand into the stone alongside Rain's head.

He is back at the pyramid, his hands covered in blood. The red sky is full of fire as the beacon at its top surges into the heavens and rains fire down upon the land in the form of great explosive fireballs. Looking down, he sees his beloved Mileena in his lap, a mortal wound in her abdomen. The blood on his hands is not his nor that of an enemy---it is hers.

She is looking up at him, her once-blazing orange eyes losing their luster and fading fast, faster than he can heal with his powers. She reaches for his hands, intertwining her fingers, and she opens her mouth to speak---

A fist in Kaito's face knocks him back, and then another, and another, and another. Rain pummels him, pushing him backwards, taking great advantage of his distracted state. The purple-clad warrior brings his leg up in a powerful roundhouse, propelled by a surge of water, that knocks Kaito yards away, into an ancient pillar that crumbles and collapses as the New Defender flies cleanly through it.

Within the dust, Kaito groans and picks himself up slowly, pushing a chunk of debris off of his leg. Had he not been juicing on the magical healing waters of Wellspring of Shun-Koto, he would be in great pain---but he is not.

"Mileena..." he gasps, looking around, realizing that he is back in Duat. His groaning comes from his confusion; the visions linger on the edge of his perception, ready to overtake him once more. He places a hand on his forehead and shakes his head violently, but continues to feel their presence.

His eyes widen as he hears Rain materializing behind him with a familiar splash.

>Teleport away, get some distance
>Turn and block his next attack, then knock him down
>Use your earth powers to clear the area of debris and launch some at him
>Tell him to wait and that you are plagued with visions
>Other

>>3989014
>Use your earth powers to clear the area of debris and launch some at him

>>3989014
>>Use your earth powers to clear the area of debris and launch some at him

>>3989014
>Use your earth powers to clear the area of debris and launch some at him

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>>3989017
>>3989022
>>3989034

With his head as foggy as the dust that surrounds him, Kaito knows that he is easy prey for Rain. He looks at his feet as sees a stone from the broken pillar and an idea springs forth which he immediately puts into action. Bringing up his foot, he slams it down and thrusts his arms out wide, conjuring up his power over the earth to create a small shockwave. The dust blows away as Rain puts up his arms, standing firm against the force of the wave, but Kaito isn't done yet.

Turning, he kicks the rock at Rain, snapping his leg to angle it straight at his midsection. Rain sees the attack coming and punches it with both hands, his legs spread in a wide, steady stance. Kaito twists once more and kicks another rock, and then a third with a fourth following close behind, all aimed at his foe.

Rain's fists annihilate the chunks of rock, cracking them into pebbles with strikes that are as fast and hard-hitting as the lightning he summons from the sky. Water drips from his arms with each blow, his purple eyes darting to each projectile as they fly at him.

Kaito leaps back and brings his foot straight up as high as he can before slamming it down, causing a mote of the earth, sharp and pointed, to jut out of the ground at Rain. In response, the purple warrior surrounds himself in a bubble-like shield, destroying the edge of the rock as it attempts to penetrate him.

With Kaito's attack thoroughly thwarted, Rain points his palms at the stone and launches a spray of water so powerful that the rock cracks against its assault, breaking away to allow the high-pressure spray along with many chunks of rock to reach Kaito, who crosses his arms before him to block the attack. The spray pushes him back as he blocks it, his feet leaving trails in the dirt before he digs in and stands strong against the blast.

Rain withdraws his hands and stares his foe down. Kaito lowers his arms, which are cut up from the water and rocks but healing in mere seconds. They both lock eyes and ready their next moves, but then Kaito feels another vision coming on.

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>>3989053

He falls to one knee as a brief flash of Takeda, his mouth opening in a spurt of blood as something attacks him from behind, assails his mind. He brings up a hand to cover one eye as he reaches out, this time to Kenshi, of whom he catches only a mere glimpse as the blind warrior is impaled through a sword. So fast are these flashes that he cannot see who is even responsible for their deaths, and just as he processes those two, a third appears: Johnny Cage, holding the body of his daughter Cassie.

Kaito stumbles as Rain chuckles. "You seem distracted. Do you need a moment?" Before Kaito can respond, Rain launches himself forward with twin streams from his palms pointed backwards, his feet forward to deliver a dropkick like only he can. In his current state, Kaito cannot block or dodge it, and is knocked onto his back.

Rain, upon delivering his dropkick, flips back and lands on his feet. "I wonder what you're seeing," he muses, cracking his knuckles as he raises his hands up into the air. "Is it what I have seen?"

The clouds darken overhead in the already bleak sky as a crack of lightning followed by a bellow of thunder pieces the air. Rain commands his namesake to fall, as droplets pour from the black clouds.

Kaito turns and gets back up to his feet; he feels a brief tingling in his hands, the faintest sensation of pain. "The water..." he mutters.

>Talk to Rain
>Attack him from the front
>Attempt to get around him and attack from behind
>Fight defensively until these visions pass
>Other

>>3989056

> Fight defensively

We know he cab't be trusted if we try to talk. Fucker's betrayed everyone.

>>3989056
>>Fight defensively until these visions pass

>>3989009
don't engage that finfaggot to come here.

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>>3989075
>>3989087

Rain raises both palms to the sky and Kaito leaps back, recognizing the attack just before the lightning strikes the ground at his feet. Three more bolts follow in rapid succession, chasing after the fleeing warrior.

"That's right, run!"

As Kaito leaps over a rock into a lower canyon, Rain appears from a puddle in front of him, attempting to deliver an uppercut. Kaito steps back, up against a rock, as Rain grabs his arms and pushes on him. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when I drag you in front of the Deadly Alliance," he says, his veil sticking to his chin as his eyes burn with the intensity of his words. "Everyone will see it and know that I'm the one who BEAT YOU!"

Kaito brings up a knee and slams it into Rain's stomach, knocking him back. The traitorous prince recovers quickly and snaps three rapid punches, which Kaito blocks. The human begins a purely defensive strategy, allowing all of the hate and fury of Rain to pour out of him like the water that is pouring from the sky as the prince continues to attack him with both limb and lip.

"I can't stand the sight of you," he mutters, kicking low and then high. "You disgust me, every single thing about you!"

Another vision threatens to fog his mind and open him up for attack, but Kaito continues to focus, disregarding Rain's words and only concentrating on blocking and dodging each strike. As Rain swings another punch, Kaito deflects it into a nearby stone wall, it smashes some of the rock there.

"I am the greatest lightning warrior that has ever lived," Rain says, continuing to shout at the man who isn't listening. "I am a god! I should be sitting upon a throne, worshipped! My rightful place, denied to me, by you and your pathetic friends!"

For a moment, Kaito's vision turns white, another vision---but he blinks and catches Rain's fist. Forced up against a wall by Rain's attacks, Kaito is once again pushed back as Rain shouts mere inches from him, "I am better than you in every way! What are you to stand against me? You are a wretch, surviving on luck and your little 'team'! But where are they to help you now? Alone, you are NOTHING compared to me!"

Kaito closes his eyes and shakes his head, fighting off the visions. 'Why won't they stop?'

Rain chuckles darkly. "You have seen it, I know you have, just as I! You've seen what happens to them. They're going to die, and there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT! You cannot save them. They're as worthless and weak as you are. You see what happens when you rely on others? In the end, what does it amount to?"

Try as he may to push out his words, Kaito hears them all the same. They echo in his mind as surely as the visions that yet threaten to overtake his concentration.

>Continue to not respond and focus on defense
>Taunt him by playing on his pride
>Call him out for failing to achieve anything on his own
>Go all-out on the attack, pushing back against him
>Other

>>3989119

> all out attack.

I wanna see this guy react to us suddenly going all out with fire, since we've stuck to water, rock and martial arts.

>>3989119
>Call him out for failing to achieve anything on his own
Everything he's ever done has been on the back of someone else. If he were truly so mighty, he wouldn't need the Deadly Alliance at all. Why should he need approval from the cabal?

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>>3989122
>>3989139

The New Defenders. The old. Friends, enemies, countless in number, all falling in one place, at one time. Mileena, his love, and another...

'Armageddon...'

As Rain pushes him, goads him on further and further, another vision fills his mind, one he cannot suppress. Turana, in sphinx form, is at his side, and they are both staring down some kind of entity. The fiery figure rises, tall and imposing, its body glowing red-hot. Its gaze, white and searing, is turned upon them. They both shield their eyes from its form as the pillar of flames in which it stands flares even brighter before the being within it points a barely-discernable hand at them.

A wave of heat and an accompanying blast of fire is launched at them, and Turana leaps in front of Kaito to protect him. He watches, unable to stop it from happening, as she is hit, feathers instantly burning as her body is engulfed in destructive fire...

"No!"

Kaito shouts as he pushes Rain back, a spark igniting within him. His hands burn with flames as he attacks the purple warrior relentlessly and without pause, his arms now completely aflame. Rain's eyes widen as he is put on the defensive, now suddenly finding himself the one backed up against the opposite wall, grappled by Kaito in a similar manner.

"What about you, Rain?" Kaito asks, his eyes starting to glow red. "What have you ever accomplished on your own, other than being a failure? You're a member of the Deadly Alliance, and only with them were you able to kill Liu Kang. You could never have done it on your own."

Rain is about to reply when he sees steam coming off of his arms from Kaito's heat. He struggles as Kaito holds onto his wrists, forcing him harder against the wall.

"You also succeeded at throwing your life away and being a traitor. Your mother is ashamed of you. Your father..." Kaito says, and breathlessly he realizes what the visions signify. "Armageddon... The sons of Argus, Taven and Dagon..."

"I am a son of Argus!" Rain says, struggling in Kaito's grasp.

"...A lesser son," he replies. "You're nothing but the byproduct of a broken goddess, beget by a father who left you nothing because that's all you're worth. Your words are empty, Rain! I would pity you, if you were worth the effort!"

"I don't need your pity!" He sprays Kaito with jets from his hands, but they turn to steam as they strike him. His eyes widen more in surprise and fear.

"You could've had everything you're crying about, but you threw it all away! Even now you stand on the backs of the Deadly Alliance, seeking their approval while touting how mighty you are! If you didn't need them, you wouldn't be with them!"

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>>3989180

Rain shouts and attempts to escape the grab by turning into water and bursting outwards. Kaito does the same, unleashing all of his own rage at the pain brought upon by these horrible visions, causing flames to erupt from his body in all directions. The canyon walls, assailed by their combined might, crumble and stones fall all around them both.

Smoke and steam fill the air as they both stumble away from each other. Rain falls back against a shattered wall as Kaito goes to a knee, both panting heavily. The edenian puts a hand on his side, realizing he has a burn there---and it isn't healing. Kaito looks at his hand and sees a cut from a jagged rock that he fell upon, and it similarly isn't healing.

They both lock eyes once more, and realize that the healing water---and the visions that accompany it---are out of their system.

For a moment, they both simply stare at each other as the bleak, dim skies of Duat circle overhead. Then, slowly, they both get fully on their feet and stand, each swaying slightly as they become refamiliarized with their base selves, their bodies no longer super-charged by the magical water. Both realizing that their temporary invulnerability has worn off, and to continue fighting risks actual injury.

For a moment, Kaito hopes that Rain will simply leave, and an even smaller part of him wishes that the prince would finally see sense in this moment and stop---but he knows it isn't meant to be so. The prince's pride compels him to raise his arms and curl his fingers into fists, which is exactly what he does. In response, the earthrealmer does the same.

No more words are needed between the two; they both know this is how it must be.

With one final collective breath shared by the warriors of Duat's stale air, they charge.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>3989182
Liu Kang's flying kick, for old time's sake.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>3989182

> Finish him, it's time for this prick to recieve a fatality Fire kick, into rock trap, into lighting 1 inch punch.

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>3989182

Throw staff to teleport behind of Rain, then summon Bullet Fist to the back of Rain's head, and follow it up with Call Lightning

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>>3989187

Kaito leaps up, bringing up his foot in a flying kick, propelling himself forward with a trail of fire. While he never learnt the specifics of shaolin flight from Liu Kang, his power is an acceptable substitute for the propulsion required. The surprising speed of the attack catches Rain off-guard and he hurtles backward from the blow, his trajectory changing instantly. He hits the ground rolling as Kaito touches down harmlessly.

>>3989194

As he stands up, Rain withdraws two daggers from his back before vanishing into a puddle. He pops up behind Kaito, who turns in just enough time to bring up his arms in a guarded stance. Rain slashes at him, cutting his arms with thin slices that immediately spill blood.

The prince continues to slash while throwing in a few stabbing motions; Kaito steps back before unleashing a brief torrent of flames to keep Rain at bay. They both hesitate at diving back in at each other, instead opting to slowly walk in a circle while carefully maintaining eye contact, each waiting to see what the other does.

>>3989210

Kaito slowly raises his hand up to his shoulder, and in a flash summons Raiden's staff. He hurtles it like a spear at Rain, who easily dodges the sparking projectile, but that was Kaito's intent. It lands in the ground and sticks into it, allowing Kaito to teleport up to it and take hold of the shaft once more. He turns to throw a punch into the back of Rain's head, but the prince is gone---teleported as well.

As he manifests nearby, Kaito removes the staff from the ground and points it up towards the sky, calling forth a bolt of lightning to strike it. The staff crackles with power as Kaito aims it at Rain, who ducks low as he shoots it off. The bolt arcs towards the prince, who once again slips away in a puddle while it strikes the ground harmlessly behind him, kicking up stone and sand in its wake.

Kaito looks around, not seeing Rain anywhere---until the hairs standing up on the back of his neck compel him to turn around and lift up his staff to block an attack from above. Rain's daggers connect with Raiden's staff before he pushes back, landing nearby.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>3989270
Kick some galeforce winds in Rain's direction.

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>3989270

Fall backwards to dodge an attack, using Water Form to transform into a stream of water before hitting the ground and then reappearing behind Rain to deliver several Bloody Fists

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>>3989279

With a wave of his hand, Kaito sends a powerful wind surging directly towards Rain, who doesn't have time to react. It blows him off of his feet, causing him to land on his chest and skid along the ground for a few meters. When he picks up his head, Kaito launches another blast, one more concentrated, that effectively punches him across the face. Pulling his hand back, he now blasts Rain from the back, throwing him forwards, before finally delivering one final wind-palm strike to his spine.

The edenian prince is sent hurtling away, down a hill and out of Kaito's sight. Despite his better judgement, he takes a moment to catch his breath and rub his wounds.

Rain materializes in front of him, rising from a pool until he is once more standing. Sheathing his daggers, he reaches behind his back to withdraw a longer weapon, a sleek sword that seems to shine golden in the light. He holds it in front of him, standing firm, yet Kaito can see past his veil and knows that he is tiring. That makes two of them.

The earthrealmer tightens his grip on the staff, feeling the power of Raiden surging through it. He knows that Rain is powerful, and that his pride is doubly as strong, but he is still only one man. He wonders briefly if he is destined to kill Rain here---or if Rain glimpsed Armageddon as well, that they are destined to meet there.

'No,' he thinks, resolving to not doubt the pattern of fate. 'Chronosis once told me that the future is unwritten, and that visions of the future can always change. Nothing that he or I have seen is destined to come to pass... which means that I can finish this, right here, right now. Rain and Tanya helped the Deadly Alliance sneak back into Edenia, in ways only they know how, and now their treachery has killed Liu Kang. I cannot avenge him with only Rain's death... but it is a start.'

The prince doesn't say a single word, but Kaito can only imagine that his thoughts are somewhat similar to his own. His pride will likely not allow him to run from this fight... unless his life were absolutely on the line.

Lifting up his staff, Kaito prepares for the next round as Rain dashes in.

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>>3989370
>>3989285

As they meet once more, Rain lifts up his sword overhead with both hands, preparing to bring it down in a chop. Kaito, relying upon the strength of the magic within, brings up the staff to block the strike, but to his amazement and horror, Rain's blade slices the staff violently in half, sending splinters and sparks flying everywhere. The earthrealmer's eyes widen as the staff is severed, his hands grasping both halves as they separate.

Rain's chop ends at the waistline, giving him a good angle to lunge forward with. Kaito, still stunned by the staff's destruction, barely has time to register the oncoming attack. His dodge is only half-effective, and Rain's sword slices him in the side; not the full impalement the edenian was hoping for, but a harmful wound nonetheless.

He follows through by tackling Kaito to the ground. Once atop him, Rain brings the sword back up and tries to stab downwards, but it is deflected to the side by Kaito's arms hitting his own. Putting a hand around Kaito's neck, he curls his other into a fist and starts pummeling his hated foe into the dirt with punch after punch after punch. Kaito's nose becomes bloodied quickly as Rain does away with all pretense of style and resorts to simply hitting him over and over.

If he weren't getting punched in the face, Kaito would reflect that it was similar to his own Bloody Hands style, given how red Rain's knuckles quickly become.

Finally, when Rain's hand aches too much, he simply wraps both hands around Kaito's neck and throttles him. As Kaito gasps and grabs at his wrists, Rain laughs beneath his veil, but doesn't say a word. Nearby, his sword and the two halves of Raiden's staff lie just out of reach.

Rain's eyes stare down into Kaito's own, who thinks that those eyes would be a very poor sight to be one's last.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>3989371

Go for the inner Crimson Thunder and throw whatever you got at him

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>>3989378

Unable to escape or focus on transforming into an elemental form, Kaito is left slowly running out of air and time. There is a joy in those purple eyes above him that Kaito cannot quite understand. It is not merely murderous glee, but something grander, like Rain is achieving something deeply personal and triumphant. As one of the last few wisps of breath leave Kaito's lungs, he briefly wonders just who he is trying to prove himself to. His father, Argus? His mother Water? Perhaps he will next seek to challenge his brothers Tremor and Cinder and... It occurs to Kaito that he does not know the identity of the fourth, the child of Wind.

What mystery are they tied up in? What of the other sons, Taven and Daegon? What of Armageddon and the blazing beacon of light? And in one of those visions, for but a brief moment, he thought he saw something in the distance... Crimson lightning...?

As he ponders on the fates of his friends and loved ones, particularly Mileena and Turana, his eyes begin to close.

Suddenly Rain is violently knocked aside by two three-fingered fists as Sheeva smashes him with a sideswipe of both of her right arms. The edenian prince is sent flying as Kaito gasps and coughs. Sheeva steps over his body and chases after Rain as Kaito feels a pair of hands hoisting him up under his arms. He blinks and sees darkly-tanned skin with wrappings covering the arms and hands---Cao.

"Easy, I got you," Cao says, dragging Kaito to a safer spot. "You were having it, weren't you?"

More coughing fills Kaito's mouth as he tries to speak. "Turana..."

"She's alright. A lot of stuff happened up there, but we'll get you out of here."

"No, wait," Kaito gasps, his voice raspy and weak. He puts a hand on Cao's arm. "Rain is..."

"You interfered!" a voice calls out. Both of them look nearby to see Rain holding Sheeva at bay with a burst of water. "I had him! I HAD HIM! He would be dead right now, were it not for you!"

Sheeva's four hands glow and ignite before she pushes forward, creating a fireball that counters his spray. She leaps high up and stomps down upon the spot where he stood, but before landing he vanishes into a puddle. He pops up on the top of a nearby ruin, his sword in hand.

"KAITO!" he shouts, pointing at them. "I bested you. Never forget it!"

"I'm sure you'll remind me whenever we see each other," Kaito mutters. Rain vanishes and Kaito is left with his allies.

"Did he really beat you?" Cao asks.

"I don't know. I was..." Kaito shakes his head. "My head was..."

Sheeva walks over. "Are you well?"

"Well enough," Kaito replies, getting his breathing under control. "Thank you for the help."

"It was difficult to find you. You should have called for backup with your beacon."

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>>3989562

"I know. I was, ah, not thinking straight," he says, avoiding looking into her eyes. He worries that if he does, he'll be reminded of one of the visions he had, particularly the one of her impaled through the stomach with a sword. "I was beset by visions." He rubs his eyes. Without looking, he asks a question in two words. "Turana... Nemsai...?"

"Safe," Sheeva responds simply.

"Good... I'm glad." He falls back into the dirt, feeling sore all over. "Very glad."

>Collect the halves of Raiden's staff
>Talk with Cao and Sheeva
>Explain your strange visions
>Return to Turana
>Other

>>3989563

>Collect the halves of Raiden's staff
>Talk with Cao and Sheeva

>>3989563
>Collect the halves of Raiden's staff
>Talk with Cao and Sheeva
>Explain your strange visions

>>3989563
>Collect the halves of Raiden's staff
>Explain your strange visions

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>The time has come
Guys, I am afraid!

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>>3989566
>>3989589
>>3989673

After being helped to his feet, Kaito walks over to where the two halves of Raiden's staff lie in the dust. Upon seeing them, Sheeva immediately recognizes them and the significance of their parting.

"How can this be?" she asks as he picks them up. "I had thought that as the relic of a god..."

"I thought the same," he admits, experimentally putting them back together only to be disappointed when they do not magically fuse. "But, then again... Raiden is no longer a god."

"You think that has anything to do with it?" Cao asks, walking around and scratching his ear.

"Could be," Kaito admits, though he does not know the truth. He looks at the broken staff and ponders about his ability to wield lightning without it, then remembers that he was able to conjure bolts while wearing the Dragon Medallion. Somewhere within him the power yet remains.

"You mentioned visions," Sheeva says, keeping a wary eye out along the horizon. "What were they?"

Kaito is silent for a moment. "Once, when I first visited the Wellspring of Shun-Koto, I had Sareena with me. She experienced a vision then, and I never understood what she saw until now, because I have seen it as well." He looks over at the shokan, though his gaze seems far away. "Armageddon."

"What's that?" Cao asks, looking confused. Sheeva seems to understand the implications of the term much more clearly, her red eyes widening in recognition.

Kaito answers him. "I have been told that our realms are on a course towards Armageddon, the end of all things. I have seen a great battle, one larger than any other we could have imagined. I saw..." He puts a hand on his forehead. "I saw a, a sea of people, demons and wraiths, human soldiers, tarkatans, shokan, undead, I... There was too much to comprehend. All of them fighting at once, in one place, and in the middle of it all was this pyramid-like structure with a beacon at the top."

"I have heard legends of this," Sheeva whispers, her sight drawing downward. "It is said that the realms began with a battle unlike all other battles, except for one: the battle at the end."

Cao's eyes dart from one to the other. "So, uh... we can stop that from happening, right?"

"I don't know," Kaito replies before he even realizes the words are coming out of his mouth.

Sheeva straightens and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Kaito, I have been told what the waters do. They do not show the future, only things that may be. Whatever you saw, you must not believe that it will come to pass, only that it may and we must do everything we can to prevent it... or prepare for it."

He closes his eyes again, half-seeing the visions of his friends dying. They were so many and so fast that details now seem vague, only that they die, all of them. His lips tremble for a moment as a shiver runs up his spine.

"Kaito," Sheeva says, slightly shaking him. "We must leave this place. The Netherrealm, no matter what pocket of it, does not do well for a soul."

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>>3989798

"Yeah, this place is making me hear and see things," Cao says, turning around. "I thought I saw a giant beetle earlier..."

"No, this place just has those," Kaito assures him. "Let's get out of here."

>All three return to Nemsai
>Cao and Sheeva return to base; Kaito travels to Nemsai
>Speak with Sheeva privately for a moment
>Other

>>3989800
>All three return to Nemsai

>>3989800

>Cao and Sheeva return to base; Kaito travels to Nemsai

>>3989800

> Cso & Sheeva to base, Kaito to Nemsai

>>3989800
>Cao and Sheeva return to base; Kaito travels to Nemsai

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>>3989806
>>3989816
>>3989828

He gives them another look and says, "You two head back to base. I'll return to Nemsai."

"You are certain?" Sheeva asks. "Kitana and Kotal yet remain, but if you feel you are in danger---"

With a pat on the shoulder and a nod, he assures her that he knows and will be fine. She nods in return as Cao takes out his personal portal generator, setting it for Shang Tsung's island. Kaito takes out his own and enters the coordinates for Nemsai, which will take him just outside the city gates. Now that the city's magical shield is no more, it will be much easier to enter it.

He bids them one final farewell before activating his device and stepping through. There, on the other side, he sees Kotal Kahn's soldiers occupying the city, and its own militia being forced to stand down. As Kaito enters the city and walks through its streets, he catches glimpses of its people, most of whom are hiding in their homes, afraid. He pauses and reflects upon the walled city of Xun-Koto that he once helped liberate alongside Yanake and how different this siege seems to that one, for he had friends on both sides of this conflict.

Up ahead, he sees Erron Black, who is giving orders to Kotal's lieutenants. Further ahead lies the heart of the city where the magical pools lie, and he knows Kotal Kahn and Kitana will be there. And in its central temple, undoubtedly, is Turana.

>Speak with Erron Black
>Speak with Kotal Kahn
>Speak with Kitana
>Go directly to Turana
>Other

>>3989848

> KAHHHHNNNN

Yo we're having visions dawg.

>>3989848
>Speak with Kotal Kahn

>>3989848

>Speak with Kitana

Kitana would know more about these types of things. It's her realm.

>>3989848
>Speak with Kotal Kahn
>Speak with Kitana

>>3989848
>Speak with Kitana
Kitana, you are my oldest ally and not just by age. I remember the day you got me wrapped up in this like it was yesterday. Now listen up: This is not a drill!

>>3989859
In hindsight, I should have written this as a haiku

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>>3989852
>>3989853
>>3989855
>>3989857
>>3989859

Offering a glance at Erron Black as they pass, the gunslinger returns it for a moment before he looks away. Kaito has never fully trusted the man, ever since he rounded a corner in a marketplace only to find his gun pointed at him. He is glad that he has enough clout to approach Kotal Kahn directly, as there are several more guards he must pass along the way.

The emperor of Outworld is with the princess of Edenia by the well-guarded pools of water, which are beginning to be collected in strong jars by delicate, sure hands. As Kaito enters the grounds, he notes the damage in the area, where the battle with Rain took place prior to them both being sent to Duat, and that the snake priestess Kebechet is in the area. She seems to object to the waters being collected, at least by Kotal Kahn's men, but she is under guard and her protest is silent. As he suspected, Turana is not here.

The emperor's eyes are drawn to the water, and so Kitana is the first to notice Kaito's arrival. Concern is heavy in her voice as she says his name and asks if he requires medical attention.

"No," he assures her, and his voice draws Kotal Kahn's attention. "I need to speak with you both on a matter of utmost urgency."

"Is Rain dead?" Kotal asks.

"No. You know how he is."

Kitana's posture slumps somewhat, and Kaito knows she feels the same way he does on the matter. He thinks it must be worse for her, for she loved Liu Kang, and to have one of his killers escape yet again is assuredly harder to bear. But she is stoic and so pushes past the unfortunate news, cutting to the heart of the matter.

"What is it you wish to speak of?"

Kaito takes a moment to compose his thoughts and words. "I have received a vision from the waters when I took them into my body. Perhaps it is because I merged with them like Rain did that it was much stronger this time, but the vision kept coming back, like I was... glimpsing the future, over and over, at different moments."

Kotal glances at Kitana, then speaks. "What did you see?"

"Armageddon. And after my conversation with the Elder Gods, plus this, I cannot help but feel that it is not far away. I don't know why, it just seems so. They told me that the path to Armageddon has been set in motion, that it cannot be avoided, and..."

Kitana steps closer. "What?"

"I saw everyone... dying," he says, struggling to get the last word out. "Everyone."

"It is but a vision," Kotal says with certainty. "These waters cannot be trusted to show you the absolute truth. We seek them for their healing properties to end the plague, not for their vision-granting. Men who claim to be seers look to the sun and the stars, but they only offer the certainty of their rise and fall each day and night." He brings up a hand and clenches it. "Many have claimed to have seen the end, and when the time of destruction came, nothing happened."

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>>3989952

"But I saw us, our allies, as they are now. It could happen... it could happen next week!" Kaito insists, and Kitana places a hand on his chest to calm him down.

"We must not give way to such dire worry," she insists. "I do not doubt that you believe what you have seen, but it has not yet come to pass. And it may yet not happen. Perhaps you have been given this vision for a reason, and that reason is precisely to prevent what you have seen."

"Yes, yes!" Kebechet claims from nearby, as she tries to slither closer. Guards with polearms hold her at bay, but she calls out to them, having evidently listened in on their talk. "The waters grant visions but these things are not like history, not carved into stone! They are... they are like pictures drawn in sand!"

"Take her away," Kotal orders, but Kitana holds up a hand.

"No! Let her speak, Emperor. I beseech you."

While he does not appreciate being told to go back on his already given command, his respect for the princess outweighs his pride in this matter. With a gesture, he orders his men to lift their weapons and allow her to pass. Kebechet moves up to them, her lower half coiling into a spiral as she comes to a stop. She bows her head to them all before speaking once more.

"Long have I spent with the waters, seeking their truth, but all I have learned is that they cannot tell the truth, only a glimpse at what may become true."

"I understand," Kaito replies, then looks at the others. "I know that the visions may not be true, but... the Elder Gods themselves told me that Armageddon is inevitable now. I can't help but feel like it will happen soon. Whatever course of events we set in motion has already happened; we can't go back in time and change whatever we did. Trust me on that last part."

Kotal Kahn inhales sharply. "Then all we can do is be ready for when it arrives. We must heal our people and defeat our remaining enemies."

Kitana offers Kaito another sympathetic and understanding look. "You must not let what you saw affect you so. I can see in your eyes that you are in pain, and I do not mean that you are wounded. Doubt and worry will eat away at you, Kaito. We must be strong."

>Ask Kitana what she knows of Armageddon
>Speak more with Kebechet
>Ask Kotal Kahn what preparations he will make
>Take a moment to sort out your thoughts alone
>Other

>>3989954

>Ask Kitana what she knows of Armageddon
>Ask Kotal Kahn what preparations he will make

>>3989954
>Ask Kitana what she knows of Armageddon
It's a decidedly Edenian legend, after all.

>>3989954
>Take a moment to sort out your thoughts alone

>>3989954
>>Ask Kitana what she knows of Armageddon
>Ask Kotal Kahn what preparations he will make

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>>3989958
>>3989960
>>3990007

As Kotal returns to overseeing the water's collection, Kaito gently takes Kitana by the arm and gently takes her off to the side. "What do you know of the legend? Argus and his sons---Taven, Daegon, and the others?"

The princess grows contemplative as she reflects on her ten-thousand-year-old memories. "I was very, very young when I knew the family. I cannot remember them clearly, but I remember... feelings more than facts. I remember thinking that Argus was not pleasant to be in the presence of. Not that he was evil, but there was a strictness, an unforgiving certainty in his mannerisms that permeated all interactions with him. He held his sons to great standards, much greater than normal edenians, for they were demigods and to him they were greater for it."

"What of the legends, though?"

"It is said that Argus was charged with the Elder Gods with stopping Armageddon, but I believe that may be incorrect. It is perhaps more correct to say that in the event of Armageddon occurring, Argus was to have a plan put into place. And I believe that plan relied upon his sons, who were hidden away."

"We know that Daegon is awake, however. He is the head of the Red Dragon."

"It is Daegon, or a man in his likeness," she says. "These legends are so old that we cannot know which parts of them are true and which are fiction. Taven and the real Daegon may be dead."

"But edenians live so long, and we know that his other children survived. Rain is a son of Argus. So are Tremor and Cinder; all three of them are children of the Broken Goddess. They have something to do with this as well, and so does she. Kitana, I may be the most closely-linked person to this side of the legend we know; I have powers from each of her four parts."

"There are five," she reminds him.

"I remember," he says, recalling his battle against the being known as Decay. "But I have been touched by the spirits of her good selves. Maybe that's why I feel like I have to get to the bottom of this. Kitana, I have to learn how Armageddon begins and where. There is another son out there, one I have not met: the child of Wind. When Tremor and Cinder met, they were compelled to do battle. There is a mystery here and it involves Armageddon somehow, I just know it. Can you tell me anything that can lead me to the next clue?"

"I was so young in those days, I..." She trails off and thinks for a moment. "Fujin."

"Fujin? He is the son of Wind and Argus?"

"No, no. He is of Earthrealm, not Edenia, but he knew Argus and his family well. I believe they were close friends, and Fujin was very familiar with the sons of Argus. He may know more about the true plans of Argus."

>I'll go speak to him soon.
>Will you speak to him with me?
>I would like to speak with Sindel and Jerrod about this matter as well.
>Please learn all that you can so that when next we meet we may speak of this more.
>Other

>>3990060
>Will you speak to him with me?
If only to further keep her mind off Liu Kang.

>>3990060
>Will you speak to him with me?
The other anon is right, Kitana was always the older sister in this relationship, and she needs a friend now.
Even if all said friend can do is distracting her with the END OF ALL THINGS

>>3990060

> Would you speak to him with me.

>>3990060

>I'll go speak to him soon.
>I would like to speak with Sindel and Jerrod about this matter as well.

Sindel out of all the Edenian characters must have been familiar with Argus and his family. She and Jerrod did fight alongside them to thwart Shao Kahn's first invasion.

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>>3990067
>>3990070
>>3990071

"Would you speak to him with me? I must admit, ever since Raiden stepped down at the behest of the Elder Gods, and even before that, my time with Fujin has been scarce. I don't know him like I know Raiden, or you." She nods and he lowers his head, smirking a little. "Ever since the tournament at the island... it feels like it's been non-stop."

"For you, it has," she says. "You may have slept for twenty years, but you knew no rest. What seems like two decades ago for us seems like yesterday for you. In that time we have had respite from battles and periods of calming peace, but not you. You have fought ever since stepping onto the Dragon Wing."

"I guess I have," he nods, looking up into her eyes. "You saved my life on that island. Raiden gave me the gift to unlock my inner power; he gave me his staff, too. And now..." He holds up the broken halves of the staff before her bewildered eyes. "Rain cut it in half. How? Is he that powerful? Or is it because Raiden is now only a fraction of what he once was?"

"I know not," she says, her voice somewhat trailing off in thought. She touches one of the broken halves, tracing her fingers up to the spintered fracture. "Many things are changing. Raiden is no longer the protector of Earthrealm. Liu Kang is..." She stops speaking and averts her gaze.

Dropping the two halves of the staff, Kaito puts his arms around her and draws her in for a hug. It is a gesture shared among old friends, one she returns happily. When they part, she brings up a gloved hand to wipe away a single tear that managed to escape from her practiced stoicism.

She takes a calming breath. "We yet have more battles in front of us."

"Yeah," he whispers, looking off at the pool. Try as he may, he cannot escape the feelings brought on by the visions of the water, even though many have assured him that the future is just as fluid. 'Unwritten. Not set in stone. And yet, Armageddon is unavoidable... a contradiction that fills me with nothing but dread.'

>Speak with Turana
>Continue to speak with Kitana
>Take a moment alone
>Attempt to experience another vision with the water
>Other

>>3990285

>Speak with Turana

>>3990285
>Speak with Turana

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>>3990288
>>3990355

Eventually, Kaito parts from the princess. "I should speak with Turana. She's probably been waiting."

Kitana stops him by lightly grabbing his arm. "Kaito. Did you see something that involves her?"

He hesitates, but that hesitation tells her all she needs to know.

"You should not concern her with it," she advises. "It already affects you so. Until you can convince yourself that what you saw may not come to pass, do not let her believe it as well."

"...Yeah. You're probably right."

"There is another thing," Kitana says. "Well... several more." She explains Turana's actions during and immediately following the battle. Through it all, Kaito listens carefully, taking in every detail. He is immensely pleased to learn of the deaths of the Egyptian gods and Turana's decisions, even if they were made under great pressure from Kotal Kahn and Kitana. He thinks she must be under considerable duress, and that he should go to her immediately.

Walking through the temple's halls is a quiet and solemn experience, during which he collects his thoughts. When he reaches Turana's bedchamber to behold the form of the sphinx in her true body, much of his anxiety seems to melt away, but then it returns; in his vision, she had her true body back, a connection which he only just now made. He pushes the apocalyptic portents aside and smiles.

"Sorry that I couldn't clean up," he says, managing to smirk. "I had a long, overdue conversation with Rain."

>After many talks, a kiss, and a night of cuddling with a sphinx...

"...And that's pretty much the entire situation."

General Sonya Cage sits across from Kaito in the debriefing room. She rubs her hands together before taking off her cap. "Jesus," she mutters. "It's not every day that a debriefing deals with the end of the world."

"It does make for a bit of a downer," Kaito replies.

Nearby, leaning against the wall with his arms folded, is Johnny. He has been quiet ever since Kaito described his vision of him holding a dead Cassie in his arms. The only missing people are Jax, who is in Earthrealm with the Special Forces, and Kenshi, who is on assignment.

"As if we didn't have enough problems," Sonya says, closing the file in front of her. "Although, this Armageddon does sound like it would solve all of them."

"That's hardly funny," Johnny says. "In a situation where everyone ends up dead, can't we have it be the bad guys who end up in the ground, with us burying them?"

"That's the ideal scenario, but war is never ideal," she replies. "Every battle, every campaign, every single moment of conflict can lead to death, friend or foe." She puts her hands on the table, pushes her chair back and stands up. "Liu Kang was a reminder that the reaper is never too far behind, no matter who we are."

Johnny steps away from the wall. "How can you say that? He was our friend. He wasn't just some statistic; if anything, he's a reminder that we need to end our enemies before they can end us."

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>>3990462

>She's right. We need to be ready.
>Johnny is right. We need to go after the Deadly Alliance.
>Remain silent
>We need to talk to the others.
>Other

>>3990463

>She's right. We need to be ready.
>We need to talk to the others.

>>3990463
>We need to talk to the others.

>>3990463
>We need to talk to the others.
The Deadly Alliance weren't even the biggest threat in the visions. There was, after all, some kind of giant fire-breathing lava monster. We need to know what to be ready *for*. We need answers, and someone out there has 'em.

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Greetings from a browser of /mkg
Just returning the kind post from Christmas;
Happy Holidays to you all and a Happy New Year!
Congrats on the 100th thread and here's to 100 more!

>>3990712
>that pic
>that ID
hello Lynn Quay

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>>3990724
>hello Lynn Quay
>Frost main
>prefer Lin Kuei faction
>It all lines up
Greetings!
I'll have to sit down and give this thread a read soon

>>3990463
>We need to talk to the others.

>>3990712
Is this the continuation of the one where we started off as a normal mook and generic ninja before getting a grandmaster as our secret mentor before facing off against frost?

>>3990856
No. At no point was our main character Kaito ever a ninja.

>>3990856

Nope.

But it is the ocntinuation of a quest only a little bit shorter running than Hive Queen.

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>>3990470
>>3990641
>>3990706
>>3990779

Kaito looks up at them and says, "We'll need to talk to the others about this."

Before Sonya and Johnny can get further into their debate, she stops and gives Kaito a concerned glance. "All of it?"

"I don't know. Maybe not... specifics. But the team should know, I think."

Johnny tilts his sunglasses down and Sonya resumes sitting. "I'm not so sure," she replies. "What Kitana said, about telling Turana? Perhaps we should wait."

Walking to their side, Johnny shrugs and agrees. "I mean, Armageddon isn't exactly here yet. Why spread the gloom and doom around?"

Sonya puts her hands together. "Kaito, you need to understand. You saw something awful. Sometimes, when soldiers have great trauma, they see similar things; dreams about friends or family dying. It's good to talk about these things, and you have, but the team needs to be able to focus. We have a number of missions lined up to deal with the saurians and we can't have them thinking about their prophesied deaths."

"But it wasn't a dream brought on by trauma," he insists. "This was a possible future. We need to do everything we can to---"

"Kaito!" she cuts him off. "Our team has some of the best warriors and soldiers both realms can offer, and they know what the deal is. They know that death is always a possibility. Every mission can go wrong and while we pray it doesn't we have prepared them as much as we can."

Johnny sits on the edge of the table, puts a hand on Kaito's shoulder and gives him a gentle nudge. "What she's getting at is that they're prepared to face death, but they haven't actually been told they're going to die. Not like what you told us."

"But it is just a possible future," he says. "If we preface the explanation with that, then..."

Sonya leans forward. "Is that what you honestly believe? Because even if it is, you saw it happen, and it's shaken you. Hell, it's shaken me and Johnny, but we're older and more experienced. We've dealt with friends and family dying."

"I died once," Johnny raises his hand.

Sonya darts her eyes over to her husband, then back to Kaito. "But you, you're the same person we knew twenty years ago. You haven't had that experience at dealing with this kind of trauma that we've had. Neither have the team... Well, Sheeva probably, but she's older than all of us. If you want to talk to her about this, I understand, but I'm asking you to refrain from telling the other members of the team that you saw them die. At least for now. Give us time to digest this information and collect whatever intel we can on Armageddon so we can make an informed plan on how to deal with it."

Johnny nods, agreeing with his wife. "All we have right now are legends and stories and visions. It's like basing a contingency plan for the end of the world on a book or one of my movies."

Kaito sits back, tapping his fingers on the table, and smirks. "A lot of people have made contingency plans for the end of the world based on books."

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>>3990933

"And how many world-ending cataclysms has religion predicted, only for them to come and go?" Sonya points out.

Kaito closes his eyes and leans his head forward. "The Elder Gods themselves told me that Armageddon is coming. I'm not going to make a crack about 'people hearing the voice of God telling them the end of the world is coming' because it HAPPENED, Sonya. Raiden and Fox were with me, and so was Fujin. We heard it straight from their mouths. They said to prepare the realms for its coming; how do I know that telling them what I saw isn't part of preparing them for it?"

"And we will, when the time is right and they're not on assignment. I need to know what you're going to do, Kaito."

>I won't tell the others.
>The others have a right to know. I'm going to tell them.
>I'll leave it to your judgement when and if we do.
>I have to stop what I saw from happening, no matter what.
>Other

>>3990712
>>3990737
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you as well. Thanks for dropping by!
If you're interested in the thread's history, the archive is here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Mortal+Kombat+Konquest
And as always, our group discord is here for those interested in discussing the story and occasionally other things: https://discord.gg/8BHvxRH

>>3990937
>I won't tell the others.

>>3990937
>I'll leave it to your judgement when and if we do.
>I have to stop what I saw from happening, no matter what.

>>3990937

> The others have a right to know

This kind of secrecy bullshit is partly responsible for Terminator timeline. We need everyone ready and prepared for Armageddon.

ITS BEEN COMING FOR LIKE 60 THREADS.

>>3990937
>I have to stop what I saw from happening, no matter what.
"I think we should have a little faith in them after all this time and all this service they did. Remember the Noob Saibot and the orb incident?"
If they really insist, then fine, we'll tell Sheeva. She is one of our old companions. She deserves to know.

>>3990954
On further consideration, we can "not tell them" and yet tell them. We have to go around warning the old guard anyways, and they will do their best to tell the 2nd generation.
Heck, any ninja clan worth his
shuriken should have a connection to their members that doesn't go through fucking government channels.

>>3990937

>I have to stop what I saw from happening, no matter what.
>Other

The others need to know about Armageddon, but I'll let someone I trust tell them when the time comes or when I get more reliable intel

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>>3990943
>>3990954
>>3990963
>>3990951
>>3990943
>>3990940

For several moments, Kaito is silent. Johnny and Sonya exchange worried glances, but snap back to him when he finally speaks. "I have to stop what I saw from happening, no matter what. But... if you think it is best for the team, I won't tell them now; I'll let you judge when that time should be. But they do have a right to know."

"And they will," Sonya insists. "But we need more information. We have portents and prophecies and not a lot of hard facts."

"Then I'll get them. I'll learn everything there is to know." He sits back and thinks for another moment, recalling fragments from all of his adventures. "I first learned about Armageddon from Chronosis."

"The skeleton in space, right?" Johnny asks.

"Yeah. Then, I read a book in a seidan library about Delia and her sons. Havik alluded to it once, during the mess with the Entity. I learned more about the sons of Argus from Raiden, and the Broken Goddess---she's got something to do with all of this as well. Other than what Kitana discussed with me concerning Fujin, I don't have many leads."

Sonya mulls over the facts for a minute or so before making a decision. "Alright. Kaito, I give you leave to pursue this matter and learn what you can. Whatever help you need from us, we'll provide. If Armageddon really is something that we can't avoid, then we need to be as informed as possible."

"At least we know it'll be in Edenia," Johnny says. "We've got plenty of allies there who can give us a head's up if something starts going down."

Kaito looks off to the side. "I can't help but wonder if my helping to free Edenia is what made Armageddon inevitable..."

Sonya's brow furrows. "Enough of that. What's the point in trying to pinpoint whatever choice resulted in it? All that'll do is make you feel more guilty. Like you said, we can't travel back and change it. Besides, Kitana and the others were driven to restore Edenia and would have succeeded with or without any of our help. We have to focus on the now and the soon-to-be-now, not the past."

"You're probably right," Kaito says softly. "It's also probably best that I do this on my own. After what I've been through recently, I don't know how well I can lead the others."

"You'll always have the support of the team," Sonya reminds him.

"I know, but I don't want to pull anyone from the missions you have lined up. I'll go about this my way."

She stares into his eyes and gives a firm nod. "Alright. Where are you going to start?"

>I need to speak with Mileena. She needs to know what I know.
>I need to speak with Kenshi. He has experience with Daegon.
>I need to speak with Fujin. He knew Argus and his family.
>I need to take a moment for myself. I'll let you know where my first destination is when I'm prepared.
>Other

>>3991107
>I need to take a moment for myself. I'll let you know where my first destination is when I'm prepared.
Knowing Mileena, she'll get herself involved anyway.

>>3991107
>I need to take a moment for myself. I'll let you know where my first destination is when I'm prepared.

>>3991107
>I need to take a moment for myself. I'll let you know where my first destination is when I'm prepared.
Try not to panic. Panic a little in secret.

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>>3991117
>>3991118
>>3991121

"I need to take a moment for myself. I'll let you know where my first destination is when I'm prepared."

"I understand. We'll be here when you need us." Sonya stands up as he does, walking with him to the door.

Before they can leave, Johnny puts a hand on Kaito's shoulder again. "Hey, listen. I know things seem bad, but we still have each other. We're gonna make it through this."

Kaito offers a small nod and smile in response, then leaves and heads for his room. The lights are dark inside, with the only light coming in through the cracks in the window shades. He elects not to turn on the light as he proceeds inside and closes the door behind him. Approaching a small table, he kneels before it on his knees, taking a deep, steadying breath and closing his eyes.

He never had been one for meditation. Ever since he was young, he was a wanderer, at first seeking only the next thrill but eventually seeking something greater. He thought he had finally found it when he was invited to the tournament, but ever since then his life has only become more complicated. He opens his eyes and lifts his fingers to gently run them along the length of a broken tarkatan arm-blade that once belonged to Tortek. A pang in his chest tells him that he misses his friend greatly. It rests upon a burnt remnant of a purple cloth, the only remaining whole piece of the cape that Asgaarth once gave to him, a magical cloak that bestowed flight. It was a gift more thoughtful than almost any other he had ever received.

There is a small bowl containing a number of stones he has collected from various places; Outworld, Edenia, remote corners of Earthrealm. Each has a story to tell. Picking up one, he recalls that he took it from the arena in Z'unkahrah not long after Shao Kahn's first defeat. Another stone is from his first journey to Edenia after waking up. Reaching into his pocket now, he removes a stone he took from the ground within the grotto containing the Wellspring of Shun-Koto, and a bright yellow one he took from Nemsai. He places them in the bowl and reflects upon the many colors and shapes of the stones and the stories they tell.

Once, not so long ago for him, all he cared about was wandering and seeking the purpose of his soul. Unravelling the map of Outworld given to him by Master Bo' Rai Cho, he looks at the Sea of Blood where he faced Shang Tsung before tracking him down to his palace and ending his life (for the time being). This freed the soul of his father, closing a chapter that had long been unfinished in his life.

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>>3991267

He rolls the map back up and sets it aside. He now looks upon the book he took from Shang Tsung's library tower, the tome entitled 'The Legend of the Crimson Thunderbolt.' His father helped chronicle part of this story, and that chapter closed as well when the ancient spirit took possession of Kaito's body and sent him hurtling into that space between realities where Ryan and the other watchers dwell. There, Aegis decreed that he be sent twenty years into the future. Thankfully, Raiden had made assurances that his body would not age by placing it in the Jinsei Chamber, allowing him to step back into his old body as though nothing had changed... but that was not the case.

Many things in the realms changed while he was away. It was as Kitana had said; many of his allies had known rest, but he has not, not aside from brief respites. But those are not the years of peace they enjoyed. It is not time he could have spent exploring, or saving people like Turana from making the mistakes she made. Though he has known the comfort of friends and family, and warmth and love from both his team and Mileena, all of it suddenly seemed empty and hollow in one brief moment when he saw visions of it all dying.

And now he has been told that Armageddon cannot be avoided, and it will happen soon. What is one to do when they are told that the end of reality may be in their lifetime? That all they have worked to achieve, both for themselves and for others, may be for nothing?

He reflects then upon the words of Sonya, and her perspective as a soldier. Kaito has never been in the military, but perhaps this is what it feels like when one is told they are going to war. It feels like more than that, though. This isn't merely a battle or a war---it is the end of all things. Dying in a battle is one thing, because you know at the very least that life will go on when you are gone, but dying knowing that everything will soon be following after... how can one possibly prepare for that?

>Even if it all was for nothing, that doesn't mean it didn't mean something.
>Things can change. Like Chronosis said, no destiny is pre-determined.
>This is the life you chose. There is no backing down from it or shunning it now.
>I need to speak with someone else. This is too much to bear on my own.
>Other

Is it bad if my OC meta knowledge of this being the final chapter of this quest bleeds into IC decisions in the form of panic?
I'll really miss you Damashi.

>>3991269

>Even if it all was for nothing, that doesn't mean it didn't mean something.
>Things can change. Like Chronosis said, no destiny is pre-determined.

>>3991269
>I need to speak with someone else. This is too much to bear on my own.

>>3991275
>Is it bad if my OC meta knowledge of this being the final chapter of this quest bleeds into IC decisions in the form of panic?
This isn't the final chapter, fret not. The New Defenders arc will finish, and then we will begin the final arc of the quest: Armageddon.

>>3991269
>Things can change. Like Chronosis said, no destiny is pre-determined.
We were there when time and space got blurred together like algae in a ramen bowl. We have seen all sorts of fucked up shit, and beat them all back. We have been told or whittnessed how things were in other timelines. Heck, the world Cassie Cage described to Otiak sounded like it merely had a few things go differently, and it sounded terrible in comparison.

Decisions matter! There is no fate but the one we make. With Liu out of the picture, we gotta hold onto our big boy pants more firmly than ever.

>>3990937
>If you're interested in the thread's history, the archive is here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Mortal+Kombat+Konquest
>And as always, our group discord is here for those interested in discussing the story and occasionally other things: https://discord.gg/8BHvxRH
Thanks, that's highly appreciated!
Happy New Year everyone!

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>>3991279
>>3991284

"...The same way we prepare for anything else: as best we can."

Kaito opens his eyes and takes in another deep breath. Tightening his hands into fists in his lap, he feels resolve slowly return to him, a fire growing in his heart that melts away his doubt.

"Nothing is set in stone," he recalls the words of the snake-girl Kebechet. "Chronosis himself told me that no destiny is pre-determined. Anything can change. Even Armageddon."

Holding up a hand, he clenches his fist and makes a solemn vow. "Even if it is inevitable, we can shape things beforehand. These visions, the commands of the Elder Gods, these are warnings. I have to take them as such. Warn the others." He stands up, taking a moment to stretch his arms and neck. "I'm not going to let what I saw come true. Not while I can help it."

Turning towards the only mirror in the room, set above a simple sink, he takes a good, hard look at himself. He is tired, weary from his travels and many battles, but he cannot rest. Not while there is work to be done. He may sleep, yes, but not rest. He doesn't have the luxury of complacency.

"Liu... was my friend," he whispers, looking downwards. "...But he grew complacent." He didn't believe the team was necessary. He didn't believe that his enemies could ever work together in such numbers, or breach Edenia's security. From personal experience, Kaito knows just how bad things can get---on a cross-universal scale. Timelines where even the slightest of changes made for completely different realities.

"Now isn't the time to buckle and give up. Now is the time, more than any other, to stay strong." He lets out a long, slow exhale as he sets his fear, doubt and the pain the visions brought about aside. They are not gone, but he will not let them overpower him. No matter how much he wishes things were different, that he had been given the time to rest, this is the way things are and he will not spend his time filling himself with regret.

He is Akayama Kaito, and he does not give up.

Taking a moment to collect his belongings, he thinks about his next move. He knows he isn't alone in this fight and needn't seclude himself on this journey. But who to speak with first?

>Mileena
>Sheeva
>Nightwolf
>Sub-Zero
>Other

>>3991763

>Mileena

Hey girlfriend, I need your back

>>3991763
>Nightwolf
We haven't checked in with the resident medicine man in a hot minute.

>>3991766
Mileena will make herself known. No doubt she's heard Kaito's grumblings by now.

>>3991763

>Nightwolf

Alright then, changing vote to Nightwoof. Show us your visionary expertise, shaman

>>3991763
>Mileena
>Nightwolf

>>3991763
>Nightwolf
We should warn Sheeva so if things go tits-up someone is there to brief the ND. But meeting the visionary expert might be fortuitous.

>>3991763
>Mileena

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>>3991771
>>3991789
>>3991949
>>3992048
>>3992491

'Mileena,' he decides. 'She needs to know what I've been going through. Last I heard, she's with the crew of the Dragon Wing on the Southern Edenian Seas.'

As he thinks more on who else to speak with, he makes another decision. 'Maybe I should stop by Nightwolf first. It's been too long since last I saw him, and if anyone could help me in matters of visions and divining the future, it's him. I think Fireseed is with him as well.'

With a plan in mind, he reports back to Sonya and she hands him a personal portal generator. "Go spend some time with Mileena," she advises. "A small break will do you well."

Johnny slides an arm around her shoulders. "It always does us good after those long days of paperwork and punching guys."

Sonya gives him a light elbow in the gut, making his eyes bulge slightly as he lets out an "Oof!" Regardless, he still smiles at his wife.

"I'll be back soon with more intel," Kaito promises before activating the portal generator and stepping through it.

Kaito has never been to the traditional land of Nightwolf's people. It is a wide, flat plains region somewhere in the southwestern United States. As he turns around, he sees several structures in the distance, and wonders why the pre-programmed portal destination that Fireseed makes use of is not in the reservation's town itself.

"Why are you here?" a deep voice surprises him from behind.

Kaito turns to behold a very tall and very broad man wearing a denim vest and pants. His shoulder-length hair frames a stern, equally-intimidating face with pronounced features painted in streaks of white paint: a square chin, high cheekbones and a flat nose, all set beneath a feathered headband of white and blue. His bulging arms are folded in front of him.

"Hi," Kaito says offering a friendly wave. "I'm an old friend of Nightwolf's. Is he around?"

The man's impassive, judgmental gaze is as unwavering as a statue's.

"I'm, uh, with the New Defenders. Akayama Kaito. I---"

"I have heard of you."

When no further words are spoken, Kaito clears his throat and considers how to tactfully approach the large man.

>Could you lead me to him?
>I must speak with him on a matter of great urgency.
>Is Fireseed here as well?
>Wanna fight?
>Other

>>3992661
>I must speak with him on a matter of great urgency.

>>3992661
>I must speak with him on a matter of great urgency.

>>3992661

>I must speak with him on a matter of great urgency.
>Is Fireseed here as well?

>>3992661
>I must speak with him on a matter of great urgency.
"And if you'd knew me, you'd how rarely I say something is urgent."

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>>3992664
>>3992666
>>3992667
>>3992678

"I've come to speak with him on a matter of great urgency," he explains, stepping closer to the mountain of a man. "And if you'd knew me, you'd how rarely I say something is urgent."

Though his face does not shift from its apparently-eternal grimace, the man gives a single nod and turns, walking with great strides towards the plains. Kaito hurries after him, following in his path.

He is taken a large underground cavern, filled with ancient stone structures built into the walls. Though he occasionally glimpses others, this place is quiet and sparsely populated---it must be a place of great significance, though Kaito is ignorant of its history. Were he not on a quest, he would spend the time to learn it, but for now it will remain a curious sight as they pass through its halls, going deeper and further down into the earth.

The large man pulls aside a cloth door, and stares at Kaito. After giving him a look back, he ducks his head and enters.

Nightwolf is seated on the opposite side of a softly-crackling firepit, which currently is burning very low with only a few hot coals. The stones that line the firepit are painted, much like Nightwolf's face and chest, both of which are slightly obscured by the large wolf pelt he wears upon his head and shoulders. The old native opens his wrinkled eyes and looks up at him.

"Kaito," he says, his voice rougher with age. "It has been too long."

"I agree," he says, sitting down on the other side of the fire. "How are you?"

"I endure."

"...So, well, then?" He takes a deep breath. "I am sorry that I have not taken the time to come and see you."

"You need not apologize. Your path is your own, and you are not obligated to any other than your own. I have heard of your recent journies from Joshua. He speaks of you with great respect."

"Really? That's good to know. I've always had trouble reading him. The feeling is mutual."

"He believes that to be vulnerable, with emotions or with arms, is a weakness. I have been guiding him on a path to teach him otherwise, but a closed heart is difficult to open."

>Talk about your visions
>Ask him about Fireseed's training
>Ask him where Fireseed is right now
>Ask him what he knows of Armageddon
>Other

>>3992796

>Ask him where Fireseed is right now

then

>Talk about your visions about Armageddon

>>3992796
>Ask him about Fireseed's training
>Ask him what he knows of Armageddon

>>3992796
>Talk about your visions
How about we don't tell it is about Armageddon right off the bat? Just give him the facts, ask his opinion, then compare notes saying that we believe it is the end of all things.

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>>3992802
>>3992805
>>3992807

"Where is Fireseed right now?"

"I have sent him on a vision quest."

"You don't say... visions, huh? You're training him to experience them?"

"His mind is like a steel trap, ensnaring all that may enter before he can truly let them in. He will not see what he must on this quest. But he will, in time."

"Hm." Kaito is quiet for a moment, then speaks once more. "Visions are actually what I am here to talk to you about. I experienced some recently, brought on by magic water."

"True vision cannot come from without. Only within."

"Well, it felt true at the time. I saw many horrible things, and I believe that they were taking place at a time that may not be far into the future. I have been told by others I have spoken to about this that I should not treat them as fact, that the future can change. I was once told by a very powerful being that our destinies are not set."

"What did you see?" he asks, seemingly focusing on only the first thing Kaito said.

"I saw what people call the end of all things," he replies.

"There is no such end," Nightwolf says, staring at him hard. "There is no beginning and there is no end. Everything the power does, it does in a circle."

"But what we are talking about is the end of the realms as we know them."

"As we know them. But it is not the end. What we are, what all is, is only one step along the path. There are greater things that we blind ourselves to, but they are all around us. Life seems to have an end, but it only seems that way."

Kaito nods as Nightwolf finishes speaking. "You experience visions, yes?"

"I see many things."

"What if you saw something unfortunate, that seemed unavoidable? What would you do?"

"Those kinds of visions are experienced every day. I see it in the trees, and in the water. I smell it upon the air. I feel it in the pain of my people, and all peoples everywhere. Yet the circle continues."

"I think I understand what you are saying, but I saw my friends dying. I saw them, and I feel as though it was a warning. That I can stop it."

"Each of us imagines the worst of things that can happen and tries to stop them, but not all things can be prevented. What if there was a man who was terrified of the night? Could he stop the sun from setting and the moon from rising?" Before Kaito can speak, Nightwolf continues, "Can you be everywhere on the battlefield at once? Can you stop everyone from dying?"

"...No," Kaito sighs. "I know I cannot. But I have to try to make things ideal and prepare everyone for what we might be facing in the future."

"The more you try and control fate, the more it will control you; the smallest of unexpected details will cause your plans, no matter how carefully you construct them, to crumble into dust."

"Then what do I do?"

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>>3993043

"My friend, do it this way: whatever you do in life, do the very best you can, with both your heart and your mind. And if it is so, the power of the universe will come to your aid, if your heart and mind are in unity."

"I said something similar to myself, though not as elegently." After a moment, he adds, "I must admit, my heart and my mind are not as in as great a unity as I would like."

"Only you know the path to take. I can only guide you."

>Thank him and leave.
>Ask him about Armageddon and what legends he knows.
>Say you would like to speak with Fireseed.
>Sit in silence and contemplate.
>Other

>>3993044
>Ask him about Armageddon and what legends he knows.

>>3993044
>Ask him about Armageddon and what legends he knows
Damn it Wolf, give me something solid. I know shamans struggle with the concept, but still.

>>3993044

>>Ask him about Armageddon and what legends he knows.

>>3993044
>Ask him about Armageddon and what legends he knows.

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>>3993046
>>3993049
>>3993071
>>3993666

After taking another moment to think, Kaito speaks once more. "My current goal is to learn all that I can about Armageddon. What can you tell me?"

"Whispers on the wind speak of a great battle," Nightwolf says, reaching for a bag at his side. "All peoples, all nations, will be present. Not only men, but beasts as well, and spirits. And at its heart burns a great fire, a fire to pierce the heavens such as never has existed before." He removes a kind of sand from the bag and throws it onto the dim fire pit with a flourish. Before Kaito's eyes, a large flash occurs and flames spring forth from the pit, rising to the top of the chamber in an instant, yet they linger with intensity that is abnormal.

"What the?" Kaito mutters, but Nightwolf continues on.

"The fire is alive. It is a lure, calling for all. None will resist its cry, the lure of the bounty within. Darkness will covet it, and light will seek it to keep it from darkness, but also covet it as well. Ruin and death follows the flame like smoke from a fire. It is made this way, like the snare for the rabbit."

"The fire is a lure? A trap? Bringing everyone together, in one place? For what reason?"

"That is a secret that the wind keeps," Nightwolf says, and the fire slowly dies down. When it is merely a normal fire, he stares at Kaito from across the flames. "You must ask Tate."

He blinks. "Who?"

Nightwolf frowns. "You know him as Fujin."

"Oh. The wind, right." He scratches at his neck. "Kitana said that Fujin knew the royal family responsible for planning for Armageddon. I'll be speaking with him soon. I must travel to Edenia and see Mileena, then we'll travel with Kitana to speak with Fujin. It is said that all of this will happen in Edenia, but it's a big realm. If we knew where, perhaps we could figure out a way to stop this from happening. But then again, the Elder Gods themselves have said that it is inevitable..."

"The rising and falling of the sun and moon," Nightwolf reminds him.

"Yeah... I know. But I can hope."

>Thank him and leave.
>Ask for Fireseed's whereabouts to speak with him.
>Spend some more time with Nightwolf.
>Ask if there is anything he needs.
>Other

>>3994067
>Other
Ask his wisdom; should Fireseed know about this? They said we shouldn't spook the kids, but what does Nightwolf thinks? If he finds it wise he cold tell Fireseed without Kaito breaking his word.

>Thank him and leave.
I'd love to spend time with the old man, but I feel like the noose is tightening.

>>3994067
>Thank him and leave.

>>3994083
Also this

>>3994083
>>3993049
Fucking electric outage, changing my ID and shit.

>>3994067
>Ask if there is anything he needs.

>>3994067

>Thank him and leave.

>Other
Ask Nightwolf's wisdom of telling Armageddon to rest of the kids

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>>3994083
>>3994088
>>3994152

Kaito is about to thank him and move to leave, but he hesitates. "I have been advised to not speak about what I saw to the others... that is to say, the younger members of the team. The worry is that it will distract them from their missions, but I can't help but feel like they're doubting their ability to handle this. They're strong people, not children. Sonya has assured me that the time for telling them will come, but only when we have more information. What do you think? Do you think Joshua should know?"

Nightwolf's eyes slowly move down to the flames and they flicker in the light. "It is said that it is better to be poor than to be dishonest. Honesty and truth will never hurt as much as a lie."

"But we're not lying to them, in a way. We're just postponing them learning about what might happen."

"Some of them may already know, but may not realize they know. Some may know it but not think of it."

"That's true... Fox was with me when the Elder Gods spoke of Armageddon, but I haven't spoken to him about it. I wonder how he must be feeling right now, because he hasn't said a word of it to the others as far as I know. Perhaps it is not so bad a thing to be upfront with them, but I don't want to go back on my word to Sonya." He gives Nightwolf a concerned look as he asks, "Would you be willing to speak with Fireseed about this?"

"Joshua has much on his mind. I fear that this concern would distract him and offer him an avenue to pull himself away from his spiritual guidance, like an anchor to the shore. I ask that you leave the burden of such thoughts, for now, with yourself."

"That's fair enough. Besides, all I have right now are visions and old stories. I don't have precise knowledge."

Nightwolf holds up a hand. "Be wary of knowledge."

"What? But I---"

"Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future. It is well to seek both, but do not rely only on knowledge. Do not believe that simply knowing everything of the past will prepare you for what is to come. That must come from within."

Slowly, Kaito nods. "I understand. Thank you, Nightwolf." Rising to his feet, he steps outside the chamber, moving towards the entrance to the underground commune. Once he is clear, he prepares his personal portal generator when he sees two figures approaching from the south: Fireseed, accompanied by Julia.

He lowers the device as they draw near, their eyes upon him. "Kaito," Julia says with a smile. "It is nice to see you again."

"You as well," he says, bowing his head at her. He then looks at Fireseed, who seems to be studying him, no doubt attempting to discern why he is here.

"I have a mission?" he asks, though his tone indicates that he knows he likely would have been contacted by other means rather than in person.

"No, I was just visiting Nightwolf. I needed some advice."

"Is something wrong?" he asks.

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>>3994435

>No, nothing at all.
>It is a personal issue.
>I experienced visions and needed the opinion of an expert.
>I have to leave.
>Other

>>3994437

>No, nothing at all.

I think it's best we follow Nightwolf's advice and leave the Armageddon issue for later. We have to get to other places.

>>3994437
>I experienced visions and needed the opinion of an expert
"We all have our paths to walk, I hear you have your hands full too. Take care Fireseed."

>>3994437
>I experienced visions and needed the opinion of an expert.
It subtly gets across to Fireseed that if Kaito listens to Nightwolf, maybe he should as well.

>>3994447
While I agree, saying "no nothing is wrong at all" then refusing to give a reason why we came or invent a flimsy lie, is suspicious as fuck.

>>3994449
>>3994459
Update coming a little later tonight, heading to the movies with family. Stay tuned.

>>3994589
Please don't be Star Wars

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>>3994589

>>3994590
Oh Anon, of course not!
It's Cats.

>>3994597
The way I hear it, it's gonna be a rough ride. I hope your veteran moviegoing expertise will be enough to keep you sane.

Back, writing now.

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>>3994449
>>3994459

Thinking quickly, Kaito replies, "I just participated in a battle to liberate Nemsai in Outworld. At one point I was exposed to magical water that grants visions. I was confused by what I had seen, so I came here to speak to an expert." He nods at them and says, "I think I got what I was looking for."

Julia nods and puts a hand on Fireseed's arm. "There's no one more wise when it comes to visions and spirits. He really is worth listening to."

Though her words edge towards being somewhat heavy-handed, Fireseed seems to relent and his brow softens. "Yeah." He nods at Kaito before moving past him and entering the cavern.

Julia lingers for a moment. "Thanks," she says to him, giving him a warm, friendly smile. "He's having a very hard time letting go of his past and opening up. I think seeing someone he respects heed Nightwolf's words will go a long way."

"Happy to help," Kaito says, lifting his personal portal generator. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Julia steps back as he sets in the coordinates for the deck of the Dragon Wing. Thanks to the presence of a device installed in its lower decks, a kind of trans-realm beacon, he can hone in on their position and step right through onto their deck. That is just what he does, and as soon as he is through he is greeted by the familiar smell of the edenian seas... and gunpowder.

He is tackled to the floor and a knife is held at his throat. Nearby, a cannon fires, causing his ears to ring slightly. He blinks in surprise as a redheaded lass fills his view; specifically her dagger.

"WHO ARE YE?" she demands, then suddenly she recognizes him. "Oh! Kaito! Lad, what're ye doin' 'ere at all times?!"

"Finn!" he shouts the first mate's name. "What's happening?!"

She is about to reply when a nearby cry of "FIREBOMB!" is heard. An explosion on the deck of the Dragon Wing showers them with sparks and embers as they try to cover themselves. Nearby, several other crewmembers are working hard to put out the flames, while Gwyn the harpy soars overhead. She lets out a shrill warning cry as another firebomb nearly strikes the ship, landing in the nearby water. Three more cannons go off from the deck in rapid succession.

Kaito rolls over to the side of the ship and looks over. He beholds an enemy vessel nearby of unknown origin, but distinctly asiatic and covered in gold, from elaborate railings to artful patterns running along its hull. Their sails even seem to glitter in the evening sun like golden threads.

"More pirates?" he asks Finn as she reloads her flintlock pistol.

"Worse!" She finishes loading, aims and fires before looking back at him. "Monkeys!"

>...What?
>Why are they attacking?
>Where is the captain?
>When did this happen?
>Other

>>3994972
>...What?

>>3994972

>Other

"They don't happen to native to Edenia by any chance?"

Also,

>Why are they attacking?
>Where is the captain?

>>3994972
>...What?
>Why are they attacking?

>>3994972
>Other
"Is it a bad time? Should I uh, come back later?"

>>3994972
>Why are they attacking?

>>3994972
>>3995256
>Why are they attacking?
"So what did you guys steal?"

>>3994972

>Other

"And whose waters is the Dragon Wing on anyway?"

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>>3994978
>>3994981
>>3995173
>>3995379
>>3995448

"What?! Why are they attacking?"

"That's the thing of it---we ain't got a clue!" They both look overboard as several loud cries issue forth from the enemy vessel, a cacophony of howls coming from the crew of the enemy ship. These cries are returned by those of another ship, closer to the coast, that is currently launching fireballs from some kind of catapult-like device onto a coastal village.

As he attempts to comprehend the situation he walked into, he suddenly hears a familiar voice calling out his name. He turns around and looks up one deck to behold Mileena, standing on the railing and holding onto a rope as she stares down at him with surprise in her orange eyes. "When did you arrive?"

"Seconds ago," he says, quickly scaling the side of the ship with an air-boost to stand alongside her. "What the hell is going on?"

"We received word of some kind of attack in the southern seas and went to investigate," she answers him, then motions with her eyes at the enemy vessels. "This is what we found."

"Finn said that it was the monkeyfolk, but I thought there was some kind of agreement between your kingdoms?"

"Not an agreement, but an understanding; we leave each other alone. From what we've gathered, they've been raiding coastal villages and burning everything in their path."

"Any idea why? What could have brought this on?"

"We haven't had a chance to talk to them outside of them lobbing fireballs at my ship," she replies, then suddenly her eyes go wide again. "TAKE COVER!"

She grabs her love and throws both of them back onto the deck, towards the main cabin. The latest fireball flies through the main sails and destroys part of their rigging, leaving a burning hole and ropes behind as the bulk of it crashes in the ocean on the oppsite side of the vessel. Before Kaito can think of what to do next, Mileena is up on her feet, barking orders at her crew and maintaining control of the situation. His heart races as he comes to terms with the situation and prepares to help them fight back.

>Use your water powers to put out the fires
>Attempt to fly to one of the enemy ships
>Lead an assault squad to take out the catapult
>Help load the cannons for another volley
>Other

>>3996154

>Use your water powers to put out the fires

then

>Attempt to fly to one of the enemy ships

>>3996154
>Lead an assault squad to take out the catapult

>>3996167
The sooner the catapult is dealt with, the sooner any other threats and damage can be safely dealt with.

>>3996154
>>Use your water powers to put out the fires
>>Attempt to fly to one of the enemy ships

>>3996154
>Lead an assault squad to take out the catapult
Get rid of the heavy guns first then mop up the rest of them, is what I'm thinking

>>3996154

> Lead an assault to get rid of the catapult

Let's burn their shit, see how they like it.

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>>3996167
>>3996369

Standing up, Kaito looks around the deck, quickly assessing where he is most needed. Yahra, Wolf, Biggs and Wedge are fighting fires while Buturo and Chomba work to clear the deck of flaming debris, picking up flaming chunks and throwing them overboard with their naturally more resilient hands. First Mate Finn is helping Rambolt, his brother Lor-Kai, and Kojiro load the cannons. While Jon and Sashar confer with Mileena on potentially getting close enough to board the enemy ship, Kaito springs into action.

Running towards the railing, he leaps upon it and raises his hands, causing a wave of water to rise upwards. Calling upon the training he received from the monks of the Lung Hai Temple, he gives a mighty shout as he directs the flow of the water towards the fires, splitting it into to threads: one for the deck, and one for the sail. These wash upon the ship, snuffing the flames out and wetting the crew, not that they mind, seafarers that they are.

Mileena turns towards Kaito, who gives her a small smile and a salute. She realizes what he is going to do a moment too late; she moves to run to him, but he is already pushing himself off of the railing with a burst of air up into the sky.

'The fire will keep coming until I get rid of that catapult,' he decides.

>>3996168
>>3996385
>>3996380

A moment later, on the deck of the ship with the catapult, a group of monkeyfolk are very surprised when a human lands nearby. The monkeys are clad in shards of golden armor, jewelry and fine silks, a royal contrast to their often mangy and unkempt appearance. Fur in all shades and colors covers their bodies and occasionally is painted as well, and their eyes are bright as they stare at him for a moment.

"Now... I don't suppose any of you would be willing to talk about this, would you?" Kaito asks, standing in his combat pose.

One of the monkeys howls at him and charges, clawed fingers aiming for his throat.

"I guess not," he mutters, preparing to reciprocate.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>3996415

> Step to the side, sending the first monkey into the drink.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>3996415
Toss the charging monkey overboard.
Use one of the firebombs to torch the ship's own sails and mast.

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>3996415
Send a gust of wind to blow the monkeys off the ship.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>3996415
Kick this fucker in his chest!

Kaito is not having a very good day huh

>>3996455
Doesn't seem like it. Poor bastard is off is game.

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>>3996416

As the monkey leaps at him to attack, Kaito sidesteps him, causing the simian to trip over his foot and go flying over the side of the ship.

"Next?" Kaito asks with a cocky grin, not realizing that he didn't hear a splash.

>>3996417

The monkey that he had thought dealt with suddenly leaps back onto the ship from behind, having grabbed onto some handhold. He leaps upon Kaito's back, clawing at him and biting. They stumble further up the deck as the human tries vigorously to get the screaming monkey warrior off of his back.

>>3996420

Another monkey leaps in front of him, balancing atop a staff. It falls to its feet while thrusting the staff forward, poking Kaito's stomach. This causes him to gasp and stumble backwards, where two other monkeys are hoisting a chain. He trips over it and falls upon his back.

>>3996442

The first monkey leaps as Kaito falls, swinging on his shoulders to land on the human's chest. He turns now and starts mercilessly beating at Kaito with his forearms, slamming them down over and over, howling and screaming all the while.

Kaito suffers several nasty blows before covering his body in fire. The monkey cries out and leaps back as Kaito gets to his feet, breathing hard. Now more wary of his appearance, the monkeys draw weapons; swords, staves, knives, chains and more.

Having fully experienced their agility and combat prowess and resolving to not underestimate them again, Kaito puts up his hands and prepares himself for their next move.

>1d100 and an action!

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>3996723
Punch a rock through the decks of the ship so it starts sinking.

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>3996723

Perform an Immobilizing Kick to one monkey holding a weapon and pick him up, tossing him into his comrades

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>3996723
Start taking down the monkeys one at a time with the Bloody hand, starting by wailing one with a chain with bullet fist

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>3996723
Trying kicking him in his chest again.

Oh god we're about to get our ass clobbered by a monkey.

>>3996735
At least it's better than getting our ass handed to us by Rain?

>>3996739
Dude check out these rolls!
This is way worse than our fight with rain.

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>>3996739

>>3996742
>>3996748
Monkeys confirmed to be stronger than Rain, got it

>>3996749
These Monkeys are fucking OP busted, yes.

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>>3996726
>>3996728
>>3996731
>>3996734

One of the monkeys snickers, and then throws a lever. Kaito, not realizing where he was standing, suddenly finds himself falling into the bowels of the enemy ship. There, he falls into a net, which is suddenly pulled tight around his body. A monkey working a crank spins it as hard and as fast as he can, lifting Kaito upwards, whereupon a monkey leaps onto the net and then grabs hold of it, leaping off and spinning him. Monkeys leap on and then off, pulling it as they go, causing him to spin faster and faster as they howl with laughter.

As his world spins around, they suddenly start viciously hitting him with their staffs, like a twisted human piñata. Unable to concentrate on turning into water or covering himself in flames, Kaito suffers their attacks, including one particularly nasty swing to the face.

The monkeys laugh and howl as they leap around the room, jumping from crates and barrels before they begin hooting about something new. Kaito catches a glimpse of a metal fork-like polarm being brought out, and realizes that he is about to be skewered.

Suddenly, a harpy's cry is heard. A moment later, a lone figure falls from the sky, flipping into the lower hold of the ship and landing. A blade is thrown through the air, slicing through the rope holding up the spinning net. Kaito falls to the floor in a tangled heap which he slowly works himself out of. When he lifts his head, he sees none other than Mileena battling the monkeys that had so quickly and chaotically subdued him. She curls into a ball and rolls down several crates, knocking a few of them off of their feet. She springs up, spinning as she does, hurling her sai in two different directions. One of them pins a monkey to the wall by the arm while another hits one in the head.

She lands in front of Kaito, looking up at him. "You can't fight them conventionally!" she shouts, summoning her sai back to her. "They also have numbers! We need to leave!" Her sudden appearance is keeping the monkeys at bay as they hiss in surprise, but they are beginning to regain their confidence and dart in. She lowers her mask and screams at them, frightening them off for a few seconds more with her terrifying visage, her teeth glinting in the dim light from above. In response, several of the monkeys bare their own fangs.

He simply stares at her, blinking in his dazed state. For a moment he thinks that there are actually stars surrounding her head.

>Haha... we're fighting monkeys! Haha!
>Yeah... okay, let's... let's go now...
>I thought we... the cat-a-pult... destroy it?
>I don't wanna go swimming today...
>Other

>>3996753
>Haha... we're fighting monkeys! Haha!

>>3996753

>Haha... we're fighting monkeys! Haha!

Kaito is officially going insane

Also,

>I thought we... the cat-a-pult... destroy it?

>>3996753
>Yeah... okay, let's... let's go now...

>>3996756
>Kaito is officially going insane
Nah, he just got hit really hard in the head with a stick
That'll happen sometimes

>>3996753
>Yeah... okay, let's... let's go now...

>>3996753
>Other
You fools! You just removed Kaito's limiter!
DRUNKEN KUNG FU TIME!

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>>3996864
Forgot pic

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>>3996755
>>3996756
>>3996757
>>3996793

Caught in a stupor, all he can reply with is, "Haha... we're fighting monkeys! Haha!"

She looks at him sympathetically. "Oh, Kaito." The monkeyfolk howl around them, and she realizes they are closing off their exits. Looking around, she mutters. "Damn. Only one way out."

"Yeah... okay, let's... let's go now..." he says, falling over. He barely registers Mileena standing over him, fiddling with something on his person before picking him up, hoisting him over her shoulder. There is a big flash of light and then silence.

He finds himself drifting as unconsciousness takes him, but his rest is not a void of black. Rather, he is wandering, strange and delirious, through an unknown landscape. One moment he is floating, and then walking, his feet dragging through sand and dust. A sharp wind carrying biting sand hits him, but he reacts to it seconds after it assails him, as though he is not quite caught up to his senses. His eyes squint as he attempts to take in his surroundings, but all he can see is orange rock and wasteland.

It is some kind of canyon, though its circular nature seems to evoke the imagery of a crater. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, save for two openings on opposite ends of the circular valley, he finds himself drawn towards its center, pulled by an unknown lure. He thinks something is calling to him, but he can hear nothing.

When he stops again, weakness catches up to him and he falls to his knees, finding breathing difficult. He puts his hands on the ground and attempts to control his erratic breathing, but instead begins to feel a rumbling in the earth below. A crack forms between his hands and grows, splitting the ground as the shattering of rock fills the air. His eyes go wide with fear as the quake suddenly increases in magnitude, spiking as something from below emerges.

Kaito is tossed aside as a structure rises from the ground, bursting forth and sending rocks and debris flying. He rolls along the ground as level after level of the tiered platforms rises, until finally the pyramid itself is fully revealed. At each corner, a spire of black emerges, monoliths covered in twisting runes.

Picking himself up weakly, he lifts his head with great difficulty as he beholds the top of the spire, and witnesses a flame emerge, which stretches up to the heavens. Clouds circle about the beacon, and again he hears the call, beckoning him this time to the top... to the fire.

He awakens suddenly, his brow covered in sweat as he attempts to sit up, but he is held down by a gentle yet firm hand. Two orange eyes stare at him from the dim light of the Dragon Wing's captain's quarters as Mileena coaxes him into lying back.

"It's alright," she whispers, gently leaning over to kiss his forehead. "The battle is over."

>My dream...
>Wait, the battle? What happened?
>Those monkeys can fight...
>I messed up, didn't I?
>Other

>>3997072
>Wait, the battle? What happened?

>>3997072

>Wait, the battle? What happened?

>I done fucked up, didn't I?

>>3997072
>Wait, the battle? What happened?

>>3997072
>Wait, the battle? What happened?

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>>3997075
>>3997076
>>3997078
>>3997081

His eyes snap open and he sits back up. "Wait, the battle? What happened?"

Mileena looks down, clearly disappointed in the news she is about to deliver. "They escaped, unfortunately. The Dragon Wing had taken too much damage, and I had wounded crew. After I used your portal device to get back to our ship, the monkey's ships retreated, but they had accomplished what they set out to do."

"I don't understand. Why were they attacking that village?"

"That's not the only one," she says, meeting his gaze. He can see her anger boiling beneath the surface at their actions. "Several coastal villages were attacked. Not raided, just attacked and burnt down. By the time we caught wind of something happening and appeared, it was too late. We were taken by surprise."

"And then I showed up?"

She nods, managing to give him a small smile. "You always did have a knack for showing up at the strangest times and places." Running a hand through his hair, her smile fades as she says, "The monkeyfolk have never done anything like this before. They always kept to their lands, demanding that others leave them alone and never intruding upon the affairs of others. But this, what they've done... it's an act of war."

Kaito closes his eyes upon hearing those words, and inwardly laments this new complication piled upon the others. "How do we know these attacks were ordered by the Monkey King?"

"We may not know much of them, but we know what their king's ships look like, and those were it: red and gold. So, either a group of his subjects stole his ships and decided to burn down several edenian villages, or they were ordered to do it. Which sounds more likely?"

"I see your point." He scoots back somewhat so as to sit up straighter and rubs his sore forehead. "How is the crew? Where are we now?"

"Jewel Cove. The ship is being repaired, and the wounded are being tended to. Both the ship and the crew are strong." She leans closer and reaches for his hand. "Don't think that I am anything less than excited to see you again, my love. But why are you here?"

>I recently helped Turana liberate the city of Nemsai from the gods.
>I have been troubled by visions of Armageddon.
>What I have to speak of can wait; shouldn't we alert the royal family about these attacks?
>I think I'm losing it.
>Other

>>3997090
>What I have to speak of can wait; shouldn't we alert the royal family about these attacks?
And also so we can pick up Kitana and go see Fujin.

>>3997090

>I recently helped Turana liberate the city of Nemsai from the gods.
>I have been troubled by visions of Armageddon.

Just tell her what's on your mind

>>3997090
>I recently helped Turana liberate the city of Nemsai from the gods.
>I have been troubled by visions of Armageddon.

>>3997090
>What I have to speak of can wait; shouldn't we alert the royal family about these attacks?

>>3997090
>What I have to speak of can wait; shouldn't we alert the royal family about these attacks?
"Damn it woman, I am the one who is suppose to come with troubling revelations!"

>Other
Tell her that we that you had a truly wonderful time, and whatever happens from in on out, you are glad you've met. Preferable before we share the bits about Armageddon so we don't sound too desperate

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>>3997190
>>3997094
>>3997095
>>3997096
>>3997109

"What I have to say can wait; shouldn't we alert the royal family about these attacks?"

"I already have," she assures him. "I'm with them right now."

He blinks a few times, then realizes what she means. "You mean... your 'other self' is at the palace, talking to them?"

"In a manner of speaking. I cannot exactly have my attention in two different places, this far apart, without getting distracted." She nuzzles his cheek with her own, rubbing her fangs against him. "And I cannot help but be somewhat distracted while I'm with you."

He smiles and puts a hand on her back, but then asks, "How can you maintain control from this far away? Isn't it difficult?"

"It is. But I've been experimenting with distance and am building something of a... tolerence for it. Right now I can only focus on one body at a time. I've told mother and father about the attacks, and then returned to my room. While I'm with you, my other self is... 'sleeping' is a good term, I think."

Kaito pauses for a moment, and then chuckles as he holds her close.

"What?" she asks.

"I just can't help but be happy when you refer to the king and queen as your mother and father."

She cocks a brow. "Well, they are. I've known them as such ever since..." She trails off. "You know, sometimes I forget that you cannot remember a thing from the time you were gone." She brushes a lock of his hair aside. "But in a way, I love that about you. You're just as I remember you, like you never left."

He hesitates upon hearing those words. "Well... not exactly as you remember me, I think."

"What is the matter?" She trails her fingers around the side of his face. "I can see it in your eyes. You're troubled by something."

"I am," he admits. "I've had a lot on my mind lately, and a lot has happened in a short span of time."

She moves to sit fully upon the bed, now holding both of his hands in hers. "Then speak to me of what troubles you."

"Alright, well I---"

Very suddenly, she cuts him off by pressing her lips against his own, silencing him with a kiss. He is surprised, but quickly welcomes the affectionate gesture, returning it as she runs a hand down the back of his neck. When she breaks it, she remains close and presses her forehead against his own and speaks in a low, passionate tone. "Forgive me, but you looked like you needed that." She lets out a soft laugh and says, "Or maybe I needed it just as much."

He stares into her eyes, losing himself in those amber-orange pools for a moment. As he recalls the vision of her dying in his arms, he is compelled to hug her and hold her close, to drink in the sensations of her. The smell of her hair, the feeling of her skin, the warmth of her embrace. He kisses her neck and says to her, "I want to tell you something. But first, I want you to know how glad I am to have met you and known you... and that I love you."

"What makes you speak like this? Please tell me what is the matter."

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>>3997203

>I saw you dying.
>I experienced a vision of Armageddon, and it is haunting me.
>Start at the beginning, with Turana and Nemsai.
>For the moment, just spend some time with her.
>Other

>>3997205
>For the moment, just spend some time with her.

We promised to not speak of Armageddon. Kaito is honorable and keeps his word. Let's spend some time with our waifu.

>>3997205

>I experienced a vision of Armageddon, and it is haunting me.

Lets not drop the Mileena dying scene off the bat.

Then,

>Turana and Nemsai.

>>3997205

Changing my first response to:

>For the moment, just spend some time with her.

>>3997205
>For the moment, just spend some time with her.

>>3997205
>I experienced a vision of Armageddon, and it is haunting me.

>>3997210
Only to the other New Defenders. Mileena is technically not part of the team, and we came to her specifically to assist with support during Kaito's adventure to stop Armageddon.

>>3997205
>I experienced a vision of Armageddon, and it is haunting me.
"I hope you don't think I am the bravest man in all the realms because what I seen actually managed to scare me"

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>>3997210
>>3997219
>>3997222

"In a bit," he whispers, pulling her against him and kissing her once more. Though she knows he under some kind of distress, she returns his affection with equal (if not greater) passion. If this is what he desires, she is more than happy to provide it, and she desires it as well. As they lie back, limbs entangling and fingers exploring, the sheets are parted to allow them both underneath.

Mileena sits up, straddling his waist as her fingers sensuously move up his chest, opening his shirt. "You do owe me an answer," she reminds him playfully, her eyes glinting with the predatory light that he's always admired. "Afterwards."

She dives down, snapping her teeth in front of his face and snarling in a mischievous manner as his hands run up her backside. He smiles and kisses her again, unafraid of her teeth, and it never ceases to make her heart flutter when he does so.

As they share in the love they have for each other, slowly disrobing and taking their time, they put from their minds all worries and concerns. For now, all that matters is each other.

>>3997256
>>3997316
>>3997211

Later, curled up alongside him in the bed beneath the silk sheet, Mileena's sharp fingernail traces a circle around his chest. Both are calm now, though their bodies display a fine sheen of sweat, huddled closely together in intimate embrace with his arm around her shoulders. Her hair, splayed against the bed and his shoulder, frames her beautiful face---perhaps not conventionally beautiful, but beautiful to him.

He looks over at her and sees her staring up at him, not saying a word, but speaking with her eyes. She is waiting for him to speak, patiently, whenever he is ready. He exhales slowly through his nostrils as he seeks the right words, deciding to avoid mentioning the vision concerning her specifically, at least for now.

"I experienced a vision of Armageddon, and it is haunting me. With the warning I received from the Elder Gods, I cannot help but feel as though it is drawing near, maybe much sooner than we thought."

For a moment, she is quiet as she thinks about his words. "Do you know how soon?"

"No, it is only a feeling." He looks up at the roof of the cabin and sighs. "I saw it when I was unconscious, too. A great pyramid in the center of a valley that rises from the ground, and atop it is a fire that burns with a power unlike any I've ever seen. Hanzo, Cinder, Liu Kang---none of them could conjure flames such as the one I saw."

"What do you think it is?"

"I don't know. I've been told by Nightwolf that it is supposedly some kind of trap, a lure meant to bring together 'light and dark', maybe meaning good and evil, that everyone will want it. But I don't know what it really all means. Argus, Delia, the Broken Goddess, their children... they're all pieces in the puzzle, but I don't know how they fit, and I cannot shake the feeling that I'm missing several pieces."

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>>3997373

>Explain about Turana and the water
>Ask if Kitana has returned to the royal palace yet
>Explain that you've been told to seek out Fujin
>Mention your visions of seeing everyone die
>Other

>>3997375
>Explain about Turana and the water
>Explain that you've been told to seek out Fujin

>>3997373

>Explain about Turana and the water
>Explain that you've been told to seek out Fujin
>Ask if Kitana has returned to the royal palace yet

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>>3997379
>>3997387

Mileena nods, and then asks, "How did you receive these visions? In a dream?"

"No. From the waters of Nemsai."

She sits up, clutching the blanket close to her chest. "Turana's city? And the siege...?"

"It's over. She managed to overthrow the gods, and ceded control of the city to Kotal Kahn. Kitana was there to sooth things over, and I would have been as well, but I was dealing with Rain."

"Rain? Clearly you have much to tell me."

He starts at the beginning, of arriving to battle Rain, their dual in Duat, the arrival of Sheeva and Cao, and his return to the city and learning of Turana's deeds. Mileena listens with rapt attention, particularly when Kaito describes her actions and her return to her true body. Even in the face of the water's collection for distribution throughout the realms to cure the wraith plague, she is most interested in the sphinx's redemption.

"I would have brought the news to you straightaway, but these visions gave me much trouble on my mind," he explains.

She nods, understanding. "And so, now...?"

"Now?"

"What we discussed," she says, prodding his arm slightly. "You love her as well."

"But you don't. How can I invite someone into our life if you hate each other?"

"I don't hate her."

"Well, she hasn't liked you for a very long time."

"She was misguided, deluded into believing that there was only one path open to her. She needed someone to show her that there can be more." She puts a hand under his chin and smiles. "I know someone else who was on a similar path once, before you helped her. Why do we not give her the same chance?"

"Sweet as that may be, it cannot possibly be that simple."

"Why not?" she asks, tilting her head as she does so. "It is not so uncommon a thing in Edenia, and there are such cultures in Outworld that---"

"Okay but we're not talking about what works for a culture, we're talking about what works for us."

"I only want you to be happy," she says, nuzzling his hand against her face.

"And nothing would make me happier, but I don't know if she can get over her hatred. She's spent so long hating you for having 'stolen' me; she saw me kiss you during the battle against Shao Kahn and I never got to explain things to her. For twenty years she carried this hate. We can't expect her to just let go of it overnight. She poisoned you just to get me to come visit her, Mileena. Are you sure you can forgive her, too?"

She looks contemplative for a moment. "Perhaps it is some part of me from Outworld that remains, but strangely enough I don't hold a grudge over the poisoning. I should, anyone would have reason to, but I don't. She poisoned me because of you, and I think that I can understand her point of view."

"What?"

"What I am saying is that I would poison someone to get to you, too, so I don't hate her for it."

He blinks. "I can't possibly be that worth it."

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>>3997608

She laughs and then sits up. "If she has done as you say, and returned to her old body, then perhaps it is time that I spoke with her. I have not done so in a very, very long time." Looking up at you, she asks, "What is your next step?"

"I've been given leave to pursue knowledge of Armageddon. I've been told to seek out Fujin, and plan to do so next, and Kitana said she would speak to him with me."

"Then I shall meet you at the royal palace in my other body, and while you travel with my sister to Earthrealm, I shall travel to Outworld to meet with Turana."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I am," is all she says, and she says it in a way that makes arguing over it impossible. "When shall you depart for the royal palace?"

"Is Kitana there yet?"

"One moment."

Mileena suddenly falls backwards, lying in bed with her eyes closed. Kaito sits up, cocking a brow as he leans over her. He snaps his fingers in front of her face a few times, waves his hand over her, then picks up her hand by the wrist and drops it, only to see it limply fall. As he considers doing it again, she suddenly wakes up and startles him, nearly knocking him out of the bed.

"She isn't yet," she answers. "She's expected back soon."

>Then we still have some time together.
>I'll travel there ahead of time to meet with the king and queen.
>Wait, there's something else. About my visions...
>What will you say to Turana?
>Other

>>3997612
>I'll travel there ahead of time to meet with the king and queen.
If anyone knows more about the Armageddon myths, it'd be Jerrod and Sindel.

>>3997612

>I'll travel there ahead of time to meet with the king and queen.

>>3997612
>Wait, there's something else. About my visions...
Do you want to know what happens to you in them?

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Happy new year, folks. Here's to five years of questing.
May you find many Kamidogu in 2020!

>>3997713
So, when the world ends, will Kaito have 20/20 hindsight to find out how he screwed up?

>>3997734
Turns out the actual true ending path was getting with Yanake back in 2015.
Ah, well.

>>3997713

Kaito looking back on his adventures, mostly the embarrassing parts such as getting stabbed by Tortek, kissing Khameleon, getting shot by Erron, getting kicked around by Deathstone Scorpion, Rain splitting his rod etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZFSC7O171Y

>>3997713
Happy New Years Damashi! This year, I'll get around that f*cking MK ttrpg, one way or the other!

>>3997749
Don't forget falling for Shang Tsung's ruse of posing as dad, getting knocked out from behind by Goro's mum like a chump, and time he was incognito against a cross-dimensional creature who was specifically looking for him, and then ran off his mouth in the fucking Edenian Throne room.

>>3997612
>I'll travel there ahead of time to meet with the king and queen.

>>3997741
Ahh yes, we violated the one true constant of the universe: Hanzo Hasashi must be cockblocked. This is why all worlds must burn.

>>3997741
Imagine all the what if?s though.
What if Tortek killed Kaito?
What if Kaito saved Bi Han from becoming Noob Saibot?
What if Kaito didn't Red Lightning Shao Kahn to death?
What if Cyrax beat Triborg?

>>3997892
Almost makes me wish for a reboot after this. I mean I am satisfied with the current timeline, but the possibilities are mind-boggiling

>>3998044
>Almost makes me wish for a reboot after this.
Haha. I mean, isn't that what Armageddon is all about?

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>>3997616
>>3997631
>>3997814

"I'll travel there ahead of time to meet with the king and queen. They might know more of this matter."

Mileena nods as they both slip out of bed to redress. "I shall focus my attention here. I'm sure the crew will appreciate them getting at least some of my attention each time you visit." She throws in a wink.

Picking up your personal portal generator, you note that it only has two more charges left. "The royal palace, and then I'll have to return to base to get a new charged generator. I'll probably bring Kitana with me, and then we'll be off to see Fujin."

"A sound plan," Mileena says, sliding her leather pants on. Before fitting back into her oh-so-snug pink top, she approaches him from behind and embraces him, lacing her arms underneath his own and pressing up against his back. "Come back and see me soon, lover."

"Definitely," he says, turning his head to kiss her. As they part, he stares into her eyes again, and is suddenly taken with the memory of the vision of her dying in his arms.

"What?" she asks, noting how long he's been staring.

"...Nothing. Just admiring beauty."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," she says, running a finger down his forehead to the tip of his nose and tapping it. She then hesitates herself. "I have not spoken much with my sister since Liu Kang's death. I have given her space. If she should mention this..."

"Don't worry. I'll handle it." He knows that things are occasionally tense between Mileena and her adoptive family due to her role in Shinnok's invasion, but he is glad that she is spending time at the palace more frequently now, especially given the fact that she can be in two places at once.

After fully clothing himself once more, Kaito gives her one last look and says, "Give my best to the crew, won't you?"

She promises that she will, and he activates the portal, stepping through it to the grounds outside the royal palace. While he is more than capable of entering the palace directly with a portal, it is considered impolite to do so. It can also raise an alarm if his presence is not expected ahead of time. Approaching the guards at the gate, he identifies himself and shows them a ring he carries with the signet of the royal family. He is permitted to enter and approaches the marble palace.

Led to the throne room, he is announced by a female court crier to the king and queen. Jerrod and Sindel, seated in their thrones, are most pleased to see him, and bid him to rise as he bows. They rise as well, descending from the raised dais their thrones are situated on to greet him more personally and less formally.

"It is wonderful to see you again so soon," Sindel says, pulling him in for a hug. Jerrod, not quite as personable as his wife, clasps Kaito's arm with both of his in a firm shake.

"Had we known of your arrival, we would have prepared a meal."

"That's fine, really," he assures them. "I wanted to speak to you about something."

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>>3998150

>Ask about Argus
>Ask about the Broken Goddess
>Ask about Armageddon
>Ask about the Monkey Kingdom
>Other

>>3998151
>Ask about Argus
>Ask about Armageddon
The Elder Gods insist the boogaloo is coming, and these visions aren't helping matters, so I need whatever I can get.

>>3998150
>Ask about Argus
>Ask about the Broken Goddess

>>3998151
>Ask about Argus
>Ask about the Broken Goddess