Chapter Twenty-One: Choices

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Kia, Jataaka and Sareena walk through a corridor of the emperor's fortress, headed for the throne room. Several other of the emperor's soldiers pass them or stand at attention, awaiting for their orders.

Further down the corridor in which they tread, three warriors are dragged and forced ahead by a militia. Kia and Jataaka conversate as Sareena's eyes analyze the prisoners that are being lead through the corridor. She recalls them from the battle on the falling cliffs. A woman draped in violet with a sword to her throat, a man with a bladed hat, but the third is what truly catches her eye; the man she fought against on the mountain that possesses the same abilities of Bi-Han. Even the resemblance is uncanny, despite the thick scar that traces vertically over his right eye. Sareena's eyes follow him as he is led out of the corridor and down a staircase alongside his companions.

"Sareena," Jataaka raises her voice, catching her attention after several attempts.

"Yes," Sareena replies.

"What do you think of Quan Chi's plan?" Jataaka asks, wishing for her input on their current conversation.

"It is splendid," Sareena lies as they begin to ascend a staircase.

"After all of this time, Earthrealm and Outworld shall belong to us," Kia says with pride.

"Do not speak of such so loudly, we are in unfamiliar territory," Jataaka warns her as they land in the corridor which leads to the throne room.

A warrior draped in armor stands in front of the throne room door. As the three approach, he opens the heavy, golden throne room door without question. Sareena leads her allies through the door, ignoring the troop. The trio then enter the throne room and come to the center, directly in front of the emperor's throne chair. The emperor's warriors stand idly by and analyze the trio such as Reptile, Sheeva, Motaro, Ko'atal and Skarlet. The emperor himself stands behind his throne, viewing as the planetary body of Earthrealm unites with that of Outworld's. Reiko does as well, until the three catch his immediate attention. Reiko turns and approaches the women swiftly.

He is without a doubt one of the emperor's top generals. Sareena stands in front of her two allies, allowing her to catch his gaze first. Reiko undoubtedly recognizes them as members of the Brotherhood of Shadow by the markings on their faces and arms. He comes to a stop in front of them.

"What is your purpose here? State your identities," Reiko commands.

"We are here to assist in the invasion of Earthrealm. We have been sent by Quan Chi," Sareena explains.

The emperor overhears her explanation and turns from the fifty foot wide, glass window. He advances toward them slowly.

"You have arrived at a splendid time. You may join in the next assault on Earthrealm. Rally with my forces in the main lobby. There, you shall await for me to enter the realm and seal the merger in place before more of my armies move in," Shao Kahn commands.

"Yes emperor," the trio says in unison.

"Assemble! Prepare for invasion!" the emperor shouts to his main forces.

Shao Kahn's vital warriors get in formation as the three women exit the throne room. They begin to backtrack their steps through the corridor from which they came. Kia, Sareena and Jataaka speed walk through the halls, passing by more of Shao Kahn's forces. Each are armed, draped heavily in armor and equally prepared to engage in kombat with the Earthrealm forces. The three then quickly proceed down the wide, elegant crimson and gold staircase, descending each of the flights. Soon enough they find themselves at the entrance of the main lobby. Hundreds of the emperor's troops stand in rows and others in circles. They are each armed with weapons and engage in conversation as they await their orders. Commotion fills the lobby as the three women enter and stand in a circular formation. Kia and Jataaka begin conversating, yet once again Sareena blocks it out. She overhears a conversation between two warriors behind her.

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