Episode 2: Reveal Yourselves
The Flesh Pits
The Flesh Pits reeked of blood and decay, a nightmarish laboratory where the screams of the damned never ceased. Shang Tsung stood over a writhing mass of flesh—a grotesque fusion of Tarkatan and Shokan. The creature twitched on the table, its mismatched claws scraping against the metal surface. It was a failure, barely sentient, and Shang Tsung's frustration was palpable.
He sighed, wiping his bloodied hands on a cloth. "Disappointing," he muttered, tossing the cloth aside. As he turned to leave, he nearly collided with Shao Kahn, who loomed in the doorway like a storm cloud. Shang Tsung dipped into a bow. "My lord."
"Rise," Shao Kahn rumbled, his voice like distant thunder. He stepped into the Flesh Pits, his heavy boots echoing against the stone floor. His eyes swept over the horrors around him—mutilated bodies, bubbling vats of flesh, and the faint cries of the dying. Yet, he felt nothing. No disgust, no pity. Just cold indifference.
Strange, he thought. In the real world, this would've made me sick. But here? It's as natural as breathing. Maybe I've become the monster I was meant to be.
His gaze landed on the failed hybrid. "What is this?" he asked, his tone sharp.
Shang Tsung stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "An experiment, my lord. A crossbreed of Tarkatan and Shokan. But it seems I've underestimated the complexity of such a union."
Shao Kahn grunted. "You've created abominations before. What's different this time?"
Shang Tsung hesitated. "The Tarkatan-Shokan hybrid is... unpredictable. It was far simpler with Tarkatans and Outworlders."
Shao Kahn's eyes narrowed. "You mean like Mileena?"
Shang Tsung stiffened. "My lord, I never intended to deceive you or Kitana. I merely thought Mileena could benefit from a sister. And you, from a new weapon."
Shao Kahn's hand shot out, gripping Shang Tsung's shoulder with crushing force. "She is not a weapon," he growled. "She is my daughter. Remember that, sorcerer."
Shang Tsung winced but nodded. "Of course, my lord. My apologies."
Before Shao Kahn could respond, a flash of green light announced Quan Chi's arrival. The necromancer bowed deeply. "My lord, forgive the intrusion, but I bring urgent news. The Tarkatan camp—we've found it."
Shao Kahn released Shang Tsung and turned to Quan Chi. "Where?"
Quan Chi's Lair
The lair was dim, lit only by the eerie glow of magical runes. Shao Kahn, Quan Chi, Baraka, and the Emperor's daggers gathered around a shimmering pool. Quan Chi waved his hand, and the water rippled, revealing a village under siege.
Baraka sneered. "Why show me dying peasants? Where are my people?"
Quan Chi smirked. "Patience, Baraka. Watch." The image shifted, revealing the Tarkatan camp just beyond the village. But then the scene changed again, showing a towering undead monstrosity—a Death Knight—marching toward the village, flanked by an elder lich and armored warriors.
Shao Kahn's jaw tightened. "A Death Knight," he muttered. "I've faced them before."
Quan Chi nodded. "Indeed, my lord. If it reaches the Tarkatans, they won't stand a chance."
Baraka's arm blades snapped out, his growl low and menacing. "That thing won't touch my people."
Shao Kahn gripped his wraith hammer. "Quan Chi, open a portal. Baraka, daughters—we move now."
Without another word, they stepped through the portal, ready for battle.
The Village
The Death Knight was a whirlwind of destruction, cutting down knights with brutal efficiency. A nobleman stumbled back, his face pale with terror. "Protect me! I'll pay you—400 gold!" he screamed, but the knights were too busy dying to listen.
The Death Knight turned its hollow gaze toward him, raising its sword for the kill. But then it froze, sensing something. A sharp, metallic scraping filled the air, growing louder with each passing second.
A little girl screamed, pointing toward the sound. Emerging from the shadows was Baraka, his arm blades gleaming in the dim light. The villagers and knights recoiled in terror.
"This village is cursed! Only monsters live here!" a knight shouted, but Baraka ignored him. His eyes were locked on the Death Knight. "You... will be the first of many I kill in this world," he growled.
With a roar, Baraka charged. The Death Knight swung its sword, but Baraka dodged with a swift leap, driving his blade into the monster's leg. It howled in pain, swinging its shield in retaliation. Baraka vaulted onto the shield, using it as a springboard to create distance.
He licked his blade, his expression one of disappointment. "No blood... a pity. I'd hoped to feast on your flesh," he growled before lunging again. This time, his blades pierced the Death Knight's shield, shattering it. With a final strike, Baraka decapitated the monster, its body disintegrating into ash.
The noble, trembling, tried to express his gratitude. "T-thank you... I'll pay you—" But Baraka cut him off, drooling hungrily. "I don't want gold. I want meat." With brutal efficiency, Baraka tore into the noble, his savage feast leaving the onlookers horrified.
As the villagers and knights recoiled in disgust, a pair of sais struck down a knight who dared to confront Baraka. The assailant revealed herself to be Mileena, her sadistic grin visible beneath her mask. "This looks like fun!" she exclaimed, spinning her sais with deadly precision.
Kitana and Jade soon joined the fray, their weapons cutting down the remaining knights with ease. Shao Kahn watched with approval as his daughters dispatched the enemies. "Now, now, my daughters, no need for arguments. We have a Tarkatan camp to find," he said, his voice commanding.
The Woods
The group eventually reached the Tarkatan camp, hidden deep within the woods. Baraka rushed ahead, reuniting with his people, while Shao Kahn and his daughters followed at a measured pace. The Tarkatans gasped at the sight of their emperor, their fear mingled with awe.
Mileena watched as a young Tarkatan child waved timidly, only to shrink back in fear. Her heart sank. "I guess I don't fit in here, even though I'm half-Tarkatan," she murmured.
Jade placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They're just scared, Mileena. This is a strange new world for them."
Shao Kahn nodded. "Jade is right. They fear the unknown, not you."
Baraka approached Shao Kahn, his expression grim. "My people are safe, but they are hungry. There's little food here—only a few animals and some vegetables. It's not enough."
Shao Kahn sighed, knowing the Tarkatans' carnivorous nature. "I have an idea," he said.
The Village
Shao Kahn brokered a grim agreement: the Tarkatans would feast on the dead knights, sparing the villagers from becoming their next meal. The villagers, though horrified, had no choice but to comply. As the Tarkatans prepared their macabre feast, Shao Kahn addressed the village elder. "This was the wise choice. By allowing this, you've earned their trust and protection."
The elder trembled. "Will they keep doing this? Eating our dead?"
"No," Shao Kahn replied. "They will find other sources of food. This is a temporary measure. You've ensured your survival."
As the Tarkatans devoured the corpses, a masked figure approached Shao Kahn. "You allow these cannibals to feast on the dead while their loved ones watch?" the man demanded.
Shao Kahn turned, his expression cold. "They didn't know. It's their way. Judging their culture is beneath you, little man."
The tension between them escalated until the masked man revealed his identity: Ainz Ooal Gown. Shao Kahn's eyes widened in recognition. "Wait... Ainz Ooal Gown? Are you from... Yggdrasil?" he whispered.
Ainz nodded, his voice low. "Yes... are you a player, like me?"
Before they could continue, the sound of approaching horsemen interrupted them. "We'll have to play along for now," Ainz whispered. "Act like rivals until we can devise a plan."
"Agreed," Shao Kahn replied, his voice firm. He turned to Ainz's companion, Albedo, who was seething with rage. "You should know your place, dog! No one threatens the Lord of Outworld!"
Ainz raised a hand to calm Albedo. "Not now," he said, though his eyes burned with determination.
As the two groups faced off, Shao Kahn and Ainz shared a silent understanding. They were not alone in this strange new world.