Smokescreen: A Collection of Vignettes

Chapter 38

Marek closed his eyes as he recalled his mother's final request before she perished at the hands of the Enenra, a creature who had used to be his own father. It sent chills down his spine at the very thought. Poor mother. How it must have hurt to be struck down by someone she loved. Smoke's son sighed. Not even Sub-Zero's ice could rival what he felt at the moment.

'If I come back as a revenant, finish me.' She ordered.

It didn't have to come to this. Though he could blame Scorpion for beginning this whole spectacle, he chose not to. It was all on Shinnok at the end of the day, even though his poor mother blamed another. Her mind had been distorted by events. The evil lord of the Netherrealm had chosen to take advantage of his grieving mother. He had chosen to turn her to a revenant. His mother, Sakura, didn't deserve the fate that she had been handed. It was easy to finish his father off. He never got to know him, but it was another story when it came to the woman who birthed him.

"Damn it."

The revenant gazed at him with her hellfire eyes and tutted at him for swearing. Those angry eyes had once been a vibrant, and loving, violet, much like Marek's. His felt own hatred for Shinnok grow even more. His mother was an innocent victim in all of this madness. In a way, he understood why Scorpion reacted the way he did. Quan Chi had murdered his family. He understood the loss.

"You and I can be a family again." The revenant said soothingly. "Come to me, son. We'll destroy Scorpion and his allies together."

Violet eyes flashed angrily. He would not listen to this evil spirit, this imposter. The mother he knew was beautiful and kind. Her beautiful and bright soul had been corrupted beyond recognition. As much as it pained the young man, he knew that it would be just for him to honor her final wish and give her the peace she deserved. A single tear ran down his face as he pulled his weapon, a kunai, prepared to deliver the final blow.

Marek roared as he charged the revenant. Shinnok was going to die. Former Elder god be damned.