A glimmer of hope.

The capital of Outworld rose across the horizon like a colossal fortress-city.

Massive stone walls surrounded the metropolis, towering high enough to dwarf the approaching road. Ancient stone blocks, some large enough to swallow a house, formed a barrier that had endured centuries of war, conquest, and rebellion. Tall watchtowers lined the battlements, each crowned with the crimson banners of Outworld that snapped sharply in the wind.

From afar, the city looked indestructible.

Yet as we drew closer, the illusion began to fracture.

Even from miles away, the city felt alive. The distant clang of metal echoed across the plains where blacksmith districts worked tirelessly. Market bells rang somewhere deep within the walls, their rhythmic chimes carried faintly by the wind. Caravans crawled through the gates like ants returning to their nest, beasts of burden pulling carts filled with strange minerals, exotic meats and goods gathered from the countless states around Outworld, nomads or nearby markets.

But beneath the life… something felt wrong.

Smoke rose from thousands of chimneys, yet much of it carried the bitter scent of ironworks and war-forges rather than bakeries or kitchens. The banners of Outworld hung everywhere, but many were worn, faded and patched after years of neglect.

And at the heart of the city stood the great palace of Sun Do, its towering structure rising above everything else like a crown upon the realm.
Despite its grandeur, something about the city felt hollow. Sun Do had once been the beating heart of Outworld.

But under Shao Kahn, it had become little more than a war machine.

Taxes, tribute and war supplies; Everything fed the emperor’s endless conquests.

The city had not grown; it had endured him.

I studied the sprawling capital as we rode closer.

If Sun Do, Outworld’s capital, looked like this after decades of Shao Kahn’s rule… I couldn’t imagine the state of the rest of the realm.

Beside me, Jade followed my gaze across the city.

She exhaled quietly. “Well,” she said softly, a faint smile touching her lips. “Looks like the people are about to meet their emperor.”

I chuckled faintly. “Let’s hope they like me.”

I glanced at her.

“Better yet… hopefully they like their queen even more.”

Jade smiled at that, something warm and proud in her expression when it came from his lips.

“You would be surprised,” she replied. “Sun Do loves its legends.”

“Legends?”

She nodded slightly, guiding her horse beside mine as the road carried us closer to the massive gates.

“This city is older than most people realise,” she explained. “Long before Shao Kahn ruled, Sun Do was the centre of Outworld’s trade under the dragon king Onaga. Merchants came from dozens of realms.”

She gestured toward the distant skyline. She gestured toward the distant skyline.

“Markets filled the streets, scholars gathered here in the ancient library, now a shell of itself. Artisans, warriors, diplomats… Everyone came here for something else.”

Her voice softened. “It was beautiful, from what I was told.”

I glanced at her. “What happened?”

Jade gave a small, humourless smile.

“You already know.”

I nodded, Shao Kahn’s empire.

“He centralised everything,” she continued. “Taxes, armies, resources… Sun Do became the heart of his war machine. Every forge, every caravan, every shipment…” She looked at the towering palace. “…fed conquest. What little Onaga did right, which wasn’t a lot… he was as ruthless as Shao Kahn, but he wasn’t mad with power and conquest, was gone the day Shao Kahn usurped and slew him.”

We rode in silence for a moment.

Then she glanced sideways at me. “If you truly want to restore Outworld,” she added quietly, “this city will be where it begins.”

I looked back at the capital walls rising before us. “Then we'd better do it right.”

It didn’t take long for us to reach the gates. Word had travelled ahead; our raven messenger, Barong, had clearly done its job, because the guards allowed us to pass without hesitation.

The moment we crossed into the city, the atmosphere shifted.

People began to gather along the streets. Not aggressively, not in a mob. But in long rows along the avenue, watching us pass.

Their expressions said everything: Curiosity, fear, suspicion, hope and disbelief.

Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.

A young girl tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “Mother… is that the new emperor?”

The woman quickly hushed her. “Quiet, Miridia! Do you want him to hear you?”

“But he doesn’t look scary…”

“That’s not the point!” The mother said, reprimanding her.

Further down the street, two young men stared openly.

“That’s him?” one asked. “The one who killed Shao Kahn?”

“I heard he defeated him in the arena,” the other replied.

“Impossible.”

“Well, someone did.”

A group of women whispered excitedly.

“Look at him…He’s even more handsome than Shao Kahn.”

“Well, that’s not hard.”

They giggled quietly.

“And the woman with him?”

“That’s one of the queens.”

“One of them?”

“Yes. The Elder Gods declared three, didn’t they? Princess Kitana, Princess Mileena… and her.”

“Lucky woman…”

Further back, an older man scowled.

“Ugh. An Earthrealmer.” He spat onto the ground. “He shouldn’t be carrying our banners; This is disgraceful.”

Another man beside him folded his arms.

“He’s thin,” he muttered. “How did he defeat Shao Kahn?”

“Maybe the rumours are lies.”

“Or maybe the gods truly chose him…”

Beside me, Jade shifted slightly in her saddle. “The other woman…” she murmured under her breath.

I looked over at her. “What was that?”

She crossed her arms slightly. “That woman said I was the ‘other woman.’”

I couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face.

“You are adorable when you get irritated.”

Her head snapped toward me. “I am not adorable.”

“Oh, you are.”

“I am not!”

“You should see yourself right now.”

She tried to maintain her annoyed expression…but a smile betrayed her. “Why are you picking on me?” she asked.

“Because you’re fun to tease.” I looked at her more seriously. “And because you’re beautiful.”

Her cheeks coloured faintly.

“You shouldn’t envy anything from Kitana or Mileena.”

She rolled her eyes slightly. “Fenrir… I’ve known Kitana my entire life. “She leaned closer to me in the saddle.

“I know exactly where I stand compared to her.”

Her hand brushed lightly against my leg. “But thank you for the compliment.”

Then her eyes drifted down my outfit.

“Although…You are looking very… enticing in those clothes.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, pretending to inspect me. “Well,” she said, struggling not to laugh, “despite them being the same clothes you wore in the arena…”

She gestured dramatically.

“…and the same clothes you wore at dinner…”

Another gesture.

“…and the same clothes you wore when meeting the council…”

I sighed, she giggled. “I’m beginning to think they are harming your imperial image more than helping it.”

I placed a hand over my chest. “That hurt.”

She covered her mouth as she laughed.

“Ammit cannot make us wait much longer for your royal wardrobe.”

I blinked. “…Did you say us?”

Her grin turned mischievous. “Of course.”

She leaned closer to me, lowering her voice slightly.

“Because the three of us deserve the view.”

I nearly choked. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t act innocent.” She raised an eyebrow. “You think we haven’t noticed you staring?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I defended myself… yet a blush betrayed me. Indeed, I did stare at her behind once or twice.

“Oh, please.” She smirked. “You honestly expect me to believe you’ve never looked at my… or Kitana’s… or Mileena’s asses while we walk?”

“…I might have taken a few glances,” I admitted sheepishly

Her grin widened. “Our battle outfits do not exactly hide everything…That is very true.”

She shifted slightly in the saddle, the motion subtle but unmistakably deliberate.

“You’ve seen them. Our thighs… our hips… our asses.” She shrugged playfully. “We know men look.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Well… yes.”

She watched me carefully now, clearly enjoying the effect she was having.

“So?” she asked, voice silky.

“So what?”

“Did you enjoy the view?”

I exhaled slowly. “Fuck yes, I did.”

Her laughter burst out again, soft, bright and completely unrestrained.

“I appreciate the honesty.”

“I couldn’t help myself.”

She leaned closer again, close enough now that I could feel the warmth of her body beside me. “Good.”

That single word carried a weight that made my heart skip.

Her voice dropped lower. “Because…” She tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes studying my reaction. “…I like when you look.”

That caught me completely off guard.

“You do?”

“Of course.”

She shrugged lightly. “An emperor should appreciate the women who share his throne.”

Her lips curved slowly.

“And if that means you occasionally admire my ass while I’m walking in front of you…” she added casually, “…I suppose I can forgive it.”

I laughed under my breath.

“That’s very generous of you.”

“Isn’t it?” Then she studied me again, more openly this time.

“Besides…” she continued.

Her gaze drifted deliberately over my shoulders… down my chest… lingering just enough to make the meaning clear.

“I’ve been looking too.”

I blinked.

“Wait… what?”

“Oh yes.”
Her smile became wicked. “When you fight… when you train… when you walk ahead of us…” she said softly.

Her voice carried just a hint of teasing heat now. “You think we haven’t noticed the way your shoulders move… or the way those pants fit you?”
Now it was my turn to flush. “Jade…”

She chuckled. “Relax, Fenrir.”

Her horse stepped slightly ahead of mine.

“I’m just being honest.”

She leaned back in her saddle with a satisfied smile. “And if we’re being honest…” She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming.“…the view from behind you isn’t bad either.”

Then she suddenly nudged her horse forward.

“Jade!”

Her laughter rang through the street.

“Now you’re just teasing me!”

She looked back over her shoulder, her expression bright, playful… and unmistakably seductive.

“Oh Fenrir…” Her smile was wicked.

“You have no idea.”

---

After several more minutes of riding through the crowded avenues of Sun Do, we finally reached the central square of the city.

From there, the palace dominated the horizon, its massive jade-green towers rising above the surrounding buildings like a monument to centuries of rule. The plaza itself was enormous, paved with ancient stone and surrounded by administrative halls, guild houses, and barracks that had once governed the beating heart of Outworld.

Even now, people continued to gather.

The crowd that had followed us from the gates now filled the edges of the square, forming a wide circle of murmuring citizens who watched every movement carefully.

Curiosity hung thick in the air, so did caution.

It was there, in the middle of that vast square, that a warm voice suddenly called out.

“Emperor!”

A tall man approached from the steps of one of the nearby council halls. His arms opened in greeting, and his smile was broad, almost relieved.

But as he approached, I noticed something else.

Before stepping fully into the open, his eyes swept the square.

Left and right. Across the rooftops.

Across the guards and across the citizens gathered around us.

It a careful and measured piercing gaze.

A man accustomed to politics.

Only after confirming the situation did, he fully approached us.

Jade and I exchanged a brief glance before dismounting our horses.

“Hello?” I asked cautiously.

The man immediately composed himself and bowed respectfully.

“Ah…yes. Forgive my enthusiasm, Your Majesty.”

His voice carried both excitement and restraint.

“I am Zafeero, Overlord of Sun Do.”

My eyes widened slightly in recognition.

This was the man who had responded to our letters; The official who had taken the risk of contacting us while the outcome of the arena had still been uncertain and the generals untrusting.

So, this was the one who had gambled on our victory.

I stepped forward and gestured for him to rise. “A pleasure to meet you, Zafeero.”

Around us, the murmurs in the crowd grew louder. People whispered among themselves, surprised by the simple cordial exchange.

Their emperor… speaking normally? Speaking politely?

Zafeero rose and nodded respectfully. “The pleasure is mine, my lord.”

Then he turned toward Jade and bowed again with equal respect.

“And you must be Queen Jade.”

Jade visibly stiffened for a moment; the title clearly struck her.

It was the first time a citizen of Outworld had addressed her that way politically.

“Uh- yes,” she said, recovering quickly and offering a warm smile. “That would be me. Pleased to meet you Zafeero.”

Zafeero inclined his head. “The honour is ours, my lady.”

He glanced briefly toward the crowd again, another subtle sweep of the square, before continuing.

“My emperor… General Baraka awaits you at the palace. He arrived shortly before your procession entered the city.”

A ripple of murmurs passed through the people at the mention of Baraka’s name, Zafeero continued carefully.

“I would also request an audience with you myself, if you permit it. There are… matters concerning Sun Do that require your attention.”

I nodded. “You shall have it.”

Then I glanced back toward the wagons that had followed us since leaving the fortress.

“But first… there’s something we must do.”

Jade looked at me curiously as I walked toward one of the carts behind our escort. The soldiers immediately began moving, following the orders I had given them earlier that morning. I climbed onto a small wooden platform near the cart so the crowd could see me clearly.

The murmurs quieted…Slowly…Gradually.

Hundreds of eyes turned toward me, citizens of Outworld watching their new emperor for the first time.

I let the silence settle before speaking.

“People of Outworld.”

My voice carried across the square with presence.

“My name is Fenrir Blackmore.”

The crowd stirred immediately; whispers spread like wildfire.

I continued calmly.

“The rumours you have heard are true. Shao Kahn is dead.” A pause lingered to let my statements sink in; then I spoke the words that would define this moment.
The reaction was immediate; Gasps, whispers, angry muttering and even hopeful murmurs.

The plaza buzzed with emotion.

I raised my hand slowly; the motion alone quieted the crowd.

“His reign ended in the arena… before the eyes of the Elder Gods themselves.” I allowed that to settle; Then I continued. “And in that same arena… those same gods placed a crown upon a new ruler.”

My gaze swept across the people.

“Not an Outworlder.”

A ripple of tension passed through the crowd.

“An Earthrealmer.”

More murmurs, some approving, some clearly not.

I didn’t shy away from it. “Yes,” I continued firmly. “I am not from this realm.” I gestured toward the city around us. “But I have seen what has become of it.”
The smoke, the worn banners…The exhausted faces. “Outworld was once a realm of strength, culture, and prosperity.”

I pointed toward the palace behind us.

“Sun Do was once its heart.”

My voice hardened slightly. “But under Shao Kahn… this realm was turned into a weapon.” The people grew quiet again. “Your strength was used to fuel endless war. Your labour fed conquest. Your lives were spent expanding the power of a single throne.”

I let those words breathe; Then I spoke again.

“That ends today.”

The square fell silent. “The crown I wear will not rule over you.”

I placed a hand against my chest.

“It will serve you.”

The statement struck the crowd like thunder.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jade watching me; completely focused.

I continued.

“I will not erase your traditions. I will not silence your culture. Outworld will remain Outworld.” My voice grew stronger. “But it will no longer be a realm built on endless war.”

I gestured toward the carts behind me.

“And to prove that… we begin with something simple.”

The soldiers moved forward; One of them lifted the covering from the final wagon.

The cloth fell away.

For a moment…The crowd said nothing.

Inside the cart were supplies:

Bread, barrels of clean water, dried meats and fruit. Enough food to feed hundreds.

The silence in the square deepened.

I spoke again. “Sun Do has carried the burden of empire for too long.”

I stepped down from the platform.

“Let this be the first change of many.”

The soldiers began distributing the food. People stared in disbelief.

A mother received a loaf of bread, an old man accepted a flask of water with trembling hands.

Still the crowd remained quiet.

Until finally, one young man stepped forward.

He stared at me for several seconds. The entire plaza watched him.

Then slowly…He raised his fist into the air and from his lung and guttural hopeful scream came from it.

“Emperor Fenrir!” His voice rang across the square.

A few nearby citizens echoed him. “Emperor Fenrir!”

Then more joined, a cluster of voices. “EMPEROR Fenrir!”

Then dozens. “EMPEROR Fenrir!”

Then hundreds.

“EMPEROR Fenrir!”

The chant rolled across the plaza like thunder.

Not everyone joined, some people slipped away. Others watched silently, still unsure. But most remained. And their voices filled the square.

Hope, cautious and uncertain…But real.

The message had been sent; Outworld had chosen its new emperor.

Jade remained where she stood for a moment after Fenrir began distributing the food, her emerald eyes fixed on him.

The square around them buzzed with life; citizens forming orderly lines, soldiers opening crates, voices murmuring with cautious optimism, but Jade barely noticed any of it.

Her attention stayed on him. Only moments earlier she had been watching the man she started falling in love with speak.

But now… something had changed. In that moment Jade wasn’t simply looking at Fenrir Blackmore anymore.

She was watching the Emperor of Outworld.

The man the Elder Gods had chosen to reshape a realm forged in war. The man who had stood in the arena and defeated Shao Kahn…And the man she had chosen to stand beside.

Her husband.

The realization stirred something deep in her chest; Something warm, powerful and strangely humbling.

Fenrir stepped down from the platform and immediately joined the soldiers, helping distribute bread and water to the waiting citizens instead of standing above them.

Jade blinked once, then hurried toward him. “That… that was incredible,” she said breathlessly, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Fenrir looked up from the cart as he handed a loaf of bread and a flask of water to an elderly citizen. “It was nothing,” he replied with a modest shrug and kind smile at her. “They just needed a little push.”

The old man bowed his head slightly. “Thank you, Emperor.”

Fenrir returned the gesture with a respectful nod. “You’re welcome.”

The man shuffled away, clutching the bread as if it were something precious.

Jade stepped closer. “Don’t say that,” she said, gently turning his shoulder so he faced her.

Her eyes were serious now; She grabbed a loaf of bread from the cart and lifted it slightly between them.

“You are giving them hope,” she said firmly. “Real hope.”

Her gaze moved briefly toward the line of citizens waiting nearby. “Look at them.”

Fenrir followed her eyes, people waited patiently now, not pushing or fighting like **** crowds often did under harsh rule.

There was still uncertainty true. But there was something else too.

Expectation.

“They’re listening to you,” Jade continued softly. “They believe you.”

Fenrir studied the scene for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close for a brief moment.

“Hope means nothing if it stays in words,” he said quietly. He released her placing a loaf of bread in her hand tenderly. “It has to be shared.” He turned back to the cart, continuing his work beside the soldiers.

Jade watched him for another moment, silently reflecting on his words.

Then she felt a small tug on the fabric of her clothing. It was subtle, almost timid.

She looked down, a small girl stood there, no older than six.

Her dark hair was messy and uneven, clearly cut with a dull blade.

She held a small clay bowl in both hands.

The rim of the bowl was chipped in several places, and thin cracks ran through the faded surface where it had clearly been repaired more than once.
Her clothes were simple and worn.

But her eyes…Her eyes carried something far heavier than a child should bear. Cautious hope that was tainted by years in darkness.

“Bread… please,” the girl asked quietly.

Jade’s heart tightened. She slowly crouched down in front of her, her expression softening immediately.

“Of course.”

She gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from the girl’s face, tucking it carefully behind her ear. Then she placed a warm loaf of bread into the little bowl.
The girl stared at it, for a moment she simply looked at the bread as if she couldn’t quite believe it was real.

Then her eyes lit up; A smile bloomed across her small face, bright and genuine, like the first star appearing in the night sky.

“Thank you, Queen Jade,” she said softly.

The words were simple. But the reverence in her voice carried surprising weight.

Before Jade could reply, the girl turned and ran across the square. She reached a woman waiting at the edge of the crowd, her mother, most likely. The child grabbed her hand and lifted the bowl proudly, showing the bread inside.

The woman looked stunned, then relieved. The two disappeared slowly into the moving crowd.

Jade remained crouched for a moment, watching them go. A quiet smile lingered on her lips.

She slowly stood again and looked back toward Fenrir.

He was still there among the soldiers; Still handing out bread…Still thanking people who bowed to him.

He didn’t stand above them, he stood with them.

Jade felt warmth spread through her chest. This wasn’t duty, it wasn’t strategy and it certainly wasn’t the tyranny Outworld had known under Shao Kahn.

Fenrir wasn’t doing this to be worshipped…He was doing it because it was the right thing to do. Because kindness was simply part of who he was.

He had given these people something today; Not just food. Not just promises.

Something far greater…A future.

Jade exhaled softly as the realization settled in her mind.

She had followed him as a queen. But in that moment…She truly understood why the gods had chosen him.

Her eyes returned to him once more, shining with quiet pride.

“Hope,” she whispered gently, her smile radiant.